Article of apparel incorporating a zoned modifiable textile structure

ABSTRACT

An article of apparel is disclosed that includes zones with a textile having a structure than changes or is otherwise modified by a physical stimulus, such as the presence of water or a temperature change, to modify a property of the textile. The zones may be along a center back area and/or side areas of the apparel, and the textile may increase in air permeability when exposed to water. In some embodiments, slits are formed in the textile.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application having U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/297,297,filed Oct. 19, 2016, and entitled “Article of Apparel Incorporating aZoned Modifiable Textile Structure,” is a continuation application ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/252,524, filed Apr. 14, 2014, andentitled “Article of Apparel Incorporating a Zoned Modifiable TextileStructure,” and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,123,580 on Nov. 13, 2018,such prior U.S. Patent Application being entirely incorporated herein byreference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/252,524 is a divisionalapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/131,624, filed Jun.2, 2008, entitled “Article Of Apparel Incorporating A Zoned ModifiableTextile Structure,” and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,726,414 on May 20,2014, such prior U.S. Patent Application being entirely incorporatedherein by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/131,624 is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/040,165,filed Jan. 24, 2005, entitled “Article Of Apparel Incorporating A ZonedModifiable Textile Structure,” and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,437,774 onOct. 21, 2008, such prior U.S. Patent Application being entirelyincorporated herein by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/040,165 is a continuation-in-part application of (a) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/839,695, filed May 6, 2004, entitled “Article OfApparel Utilizing Zoned Venting And/Or Other Body Cooling Features OrMethods,” and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,555,414 on Oct. 15, 2013, and(b) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/967,635, filed Oct. 19, 2004,entitled “Article Of Apparel Incorporating A Modifiable TextileStructure,” and now abandoned, such prior U.S. Patent Applications beingentirely incorporated herein by reference. U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/967,635 is also a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/805,681, filed Mar. 19, 2004, entitled “ArticleOf Apparel Incorporating A Modifiable Textile Structure,” and nowabandoned, such prior U.S. Patent Application being entirelyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparel. The invention concerns, moreparticularly, an article of apparel incorporating zones with a textilehaving a structure that changes or is otherwise modified by a physicalstimulus, such as the presence of water or a temperature change, tomodify a property of the textile. The invention has application, forexample, to articles of apparel intended for use during athleticactivities.

Description of Background Art

Articles of apparel designed for use during athletic activitiesgenerally exhibit characteristics that enhance the performance orcomfort of an individual. For example, apparel may incorporate anelastic textile that provides a relatively tight fit, thereby impartingthe individual with a lower profile that minimizes wind resistance.Apparel may also be formed from a textile that wicks moisture away fromthe individual in order to reduce the quantity of perspiration thataccumulates adjacent to the skin. Furthermore, apparel may incorporatematerials that are specifically selected for particular environmentalconditions. Examples of various types of articles of apparel includeshirts, headwear, coats, jackets, pants, underwear, gloves, socks, andfootwear.

The characteristics of the textiles that are incorporated into apparelare generally selected based upon the specific activity for which theapparel is intended to be used. A textile that minimizes windresistance, for example, may be suitable for activities where speed is aprimary concern. Similarly, a textile that reduces the quantity ofperspiration that accumulates adjacent to the skin may be mostappropriate for athletic activities commonly associated with arelatively high degree of exertion. Accordingly, textiles may beselected to enhance the performance or comfort of individuals engaged inspecific athletic activities.

Textiles may be defined as any manufacture from fibers, filaments, oryarns characterized by flexibility, fineness, and a high ratio of lengthto thickness. Textiles generally fall into two categories. The firstcategory includes textiles produced directly from webs of fibers orfilaments by bonding, fusing, or interlocking to construct non-wovenfabrics and felts. The second category includes textiles formed througha mechanical manipulation of yarn, thereby producing a woven fabric.

Yarn is the raw material utilized to form textiles in the secondcategory and may be defined as an assembly having a substantial lengthand relatively small cross-section that is formed from at least onefilament or a plurality of fibers. Fibers have a relatively short lengthand require spinning or twisting processes to produce a yarn of suitablelength for use in textiles. Common examples of fibers are cotton andwool. Filaments, however, have an indefinite length and may merely becombined with other filaments to produce a yarn suitable for use intextiles. Modern filaments include a plurality of synthetic materialssuch as rayon, nylon, polyester, and polyacrylic, with silk being theprimary, naturally-occurring exception. Yarn may be formed from a singlefilament or a plurality of individual filaments grouped together. Yarnmay also include separate filaments formed from different materials, orthe yarn may include filaments that are each formed from two or moredifferent materials. Similar concepts also apply to yarns formed fromfibers. Accordingly, yarns may have a variety of configurations thatgenerally conform to the definition provided above.

The various techniques for mechanically-manipulating yarn into a textileinclude interweaving, intertwining and twisting, and interlooping.Interweaving is the intersection of two yarns that cross and interweaveat substantially right angles to each other. The yarns utilized ininterweaving are conventionally referred to as warp and weft.Intertwining and twisting encompasses procedures such as braiding andknotting where yarns intertwine with each other to form a textile.Interlooping involves the formation of a plurality of columns ofintermeshed loops, with knitting being the most common method ofinterlooping.

One challenge faced by athletes when competing or training, particularlyin moderate to hot temperature conditions, is heat. Not only must theathlete cope with heat from the external environment, but the athletealso must cope with heat generated within the body of the athlete as aresult of physical exertion.

Substantial heat may be generated in an athlete's body as a result ofphysical activity and exertion. In general, the core temperature of abody rises with increased physical activity. Less than 25% of the energycreated during physical activity is converted into work energy (e.g.,energy used to move the body and/or resist an applied force). Theremaining 75%+of the created energy typically must be dissipated asreleased heat. The human body's most effective mechanism for dealingwith excess heat is through evaporative cooling. When a core bodytemperature rises to a certain level, the body will start to sweat. Whenthis liquid sweat evaporates, the physical conversion of the liquid toits corresponding gas form (i.e., the drying) draws heat from thenearest heat source. In the case of sweat, the nearest heat source isthe skin. In this manner, sweating cools a person due to the evaporativecooling action as the sweat dries. This evaporation of sweat isdependent upon the water vapor pressure (or relative humidity) of theair in contact with the skin. Air movement also is an important factor.For example, ambient air gains humidity as it picks up moisture duringthe evaporation of sweat. In the absence of adequate air movement(ventilation), this humidified air becomes trapped in areas surroundingthe skin, thus inhibiting the cooling provided by the continuedevaporation of sweat. Failure to properly release and move heat awayfrom the body during exercise in a warm environment can cause adangerous rise in the person's body temperature, potentially resultingin adverse health consequences, such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides an article of apparel comprising atorso region and a pair of arm regions. The torso region has a frontarea, a back area, and a pair of side areas for covering a torso of awearer. The pair of arm regions extends from the torso region forreceiving arms of the wearer. The article of apparel is formed from atleast a first material and a second material. The first material extendsin a vertical direction along a central portion of the back area, andthe first material includes a yarn that exhibits a dimensionaltransformation upon exposure to water to form a plurality of nodes thatextend outward from a surface of the first material. The second materialis different than the first material.

In another aspect, the invention provides an article of apparel formedfrom at least a first material and a second material different than thefirst material, the article of apparel comprising a torso region, a pairof arm regions, a back portion, and a pair of side portions. The torsoregion has a front area, a back area, and a pair of side areas forcovering a torso of a wearer, and the torso region also has a neckopening and an opposite waist opening. The pair of arm regions extendfrom the torso region for receiving arms of the wearer. The back portionis formed from the first material, is centrally-located in the back areaof the torso region, and extends in a vertical direction. The pair ofside portions is formed from the first material, is located in the sideareas of the torso region, and extends in the vertical direction fromareas that are proximal to the arm regions to areas that are proximal tothe waist opening, A texture of the first material changes upon exposureto water to have a plurality of nodes for forming a separation betweenthe first material and the wearer.

In another aspect, the invention provides an article of apparel formedfrom at least a first material and a second material different than thefirst material, the article of apparel comprising a torso region, a pairof arm regions, a back portion, and a pair of side portions. The torsoregion has a front area, a back area, and a pair of side areas forcovering a torso of a wearer, and the torso region also has a neckopening and an opposite waist opening. The pair of arm regions extendsfrom the torso region for receiving arms of the wearer. The back portionis formed from the first material, is centrally-located in the back areaof the torso region, and extends in a vertical direction from the neckopening to the waist opening. The pair of side portions is formed fromthe first material, is located in the side areas of the torso region,and extends in the vertical direction from the arm regions to the waistopening. The first material forms a plurality of nodes extending outwardfrom a surface of the first material upon exposure to water.

The advantages and features of novelty characterizing the presentinvention are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. Togain an improved understanding of the advantages and features ofnovelty, however, reference may be made to the following descriptivematter and accompanying drawings that describe and illustrate variousembodiments and concepts related to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing Summary of the Invention, as well as the followingDetailed Description of the Invention, will be better understood whenread in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example article of apparel in accordance with theinvention having a center back vented zone.

FIG. 2 illustrates another example article of apparel in accordance withthe invention having a center back vented zone.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example article of apparel in accordance with theinvention having two side vented zones.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example article of apparel in accordance with theinvention having a center back vented zone and two side vented zones.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example article of apparel in accordance withthe invention having a center back vented zone.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example article of apparel in accordance withthe invention having two side vented zones.

FIG. 7 illustrates another example article of apparel in accordance withthe invention having a center back vented zone and two side ventedzones.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example article of apparel in accordance with theinvention in which one vented zone is discontinuous.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example article of apparel in accordance with theinvention in which all of the vented zones are discontinuous.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate example protocols, methods, and/orpackaging useful for pre-wetting an article of apparel or other athleticequipment in accordance with at least some aspects of this invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an article of apparel incorporating a firsttextile structure in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a portion of the first textile structure in anunexposed state.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the portion of the first textile structure inan exposed state.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a portion of a second textile structure in anunexposed state.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the portion of the second textile structure inan exposed state.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a portion of a third textile structure in anunexposed state.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the portion of the third textile structure inan exposed state.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a portion of a fourth textile structure in anunexposed state.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the portion of the fourth textile structure inan exposed state.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a portion of a fifth textile structure in anunexposed state.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the portion of the fifth textile structure inan exposed state.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of a portion of a sixth textile structure in anunexposed state.

FIG. 23 is a schematic plan view of a larger portion of the sixthtextile structure in the unexposed state.

FIG. 24 is a plan view of the portion of the sixth textile structure inan exposed state.

FIG. 25 is a schematic plan view of the larger portion of the sixthtextile structure in the exposed state.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a portion of a seventh textilestructure.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a portion of an eighth textilestructure.

FIG. 28 is a plan view of a portion of a ninth textile structure.

FIG. 29 is a schematic perspective view of a coated yarn from the ninthtextile structure in an unexposed state.

FIG. 30 is a schematic perspective view of the coated yarn from theninth textile structure in an exposed state.

FIG. 31 is a side elevational view of an article of footwearincorporating a first altered textile structure in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a portion of the first altered textilestructure.

FIG. 33 is an exploded perspective view of the first altered textilestructure.

FIGS. 34A-34E are plan views of alternate configurations of the firstaltered textile structure.

FIG. 35 is a plan view of an article of apparel incorporating a secondaltered textile structure in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a portion of the second altered textilestructure in an unexposed state.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the portion of the second alteredtextile structure in an exposed state.

FIGS. 38A-38E are plan views of alternate configurations of the secondaltered textile structure.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a portion of a third altered textilestructure in an unexposed state.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the portion of the third alteredtextile structure in an exposed state.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a portion of a fourth altered textilestructure.

FIGS. 42A-42C are schematic cross-sectional views of the fourth alteredtextile structure, as defined along section line 42-42 in FIG. 41.

FIG. 43 is a plan view of a portion of a fifth altered textilestructure.

FIG. 44 is a schematic perspective view of a coated yarn and an uncoatedyarn, each being in an unexposed state, from the fifth altered textilestructure.

FIG. 45 is a schematic perspective view of the coated yarn and theuncoated yarn, each being in an exposed state, from the fifth alteredtextile structure.

FIG. 46A is a front elevational view of an article of apparelincorporating a zoned textile.

FIG. 46B is a back elevational view of the article of apparel depictedin FIG. 46A.

FIG. 47A is a front elevational view of another article of apparelincorporating a zoned textile.

FIG. 47B is a back elevational view of the article of apparel depictedin FIG. 47A.

FIG. 48A is a front elevational view of yet another article of apparelincorporating a zoned textile.

FIG. 48B is a back elevational view of the article of apparel depictedin FIG. 48A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION I. Introduction

The following material discloses various articles of apparel thatincorporate zoned venting structures to provide enhanced or improvedcooling effects. The following material also discloses a variety oftextiles with structures that are modified by a physical stimulus inorder to change the properties of the textiles or articles of apparelthat incorporates the textiles. Although the zoned venting structuresmay be formed from a mesh material, for example, some articles ofapparel may incorporate zones formed from the textiles that are modifiedby a physical stimulus. As an example, the zones may have a first airpermeability when exposed to dry or cool environments, and the samezones of the apparel may have a second, greater air permeability whenexposed to water or hot environments. Accordingly, the air permeabilityof the articles of apparel may increase in the presence of water (e.g.,perspiration) or heat. Among other configurations, the zones may bepositioned along a center of a back portion of the apparel or along sideportions of the apparel. As another example, zones in an upper torsoarea and lower back area may increase in texture when exposed to water,thereby holding the apparel away from the wearer.

II. Terminology

The following terms are used in this specification, and unless otherwisenoted or clear from the context, these terms have the meanings providedbelow.

“Air permeability,” as used in this specification, means the volume ofair (e.g., in cubic feet) that passes through a given area of thematerial tested (e.g., a square foot) in a given time period (e.g., aminute) under predetermined testing conditions. While various ways ofmeasuring air permeability of a material are known and may be used, onesuitable method of measuring air permeability involves the use of aFrazier Low Pressure Air Permeability Machine 750 using standard testASTM D737-96.

A given type of material (e.g., a polyester, spandex, cotton, wool, orother type of material) may have a wide range of different airpermeabilities, depending on various factors associated with thespecific material sample. For example, the air permeabilitycharacteristics of a given material may depend on variouscharacteristics of the ultimate fabric sample containing the material,such as: thread or fiber thickness; thread or fiber count; yarn twist;weave or knit density; weave or knit construction; material or weaveflexibility or stretchability; the presence or absence of mesh openings(or other openings); the mesh or opening size; the percentage ofmaterial surface area covered by mesh or openings; fabric thickness;number of plies; surface and/or finishing treatments (if any); and thelike. Accordingly, in at least some examples of this invention, thevarious “article of apparel portions” having different airpermeabilities, as these terms are used in the present specification,may be made from the same type of material, but characteristics of thatmaterial may be adjusted in at least one of the article of apparelportions to alter its air permeability (e.g., the fabric may be treatedor otherwise constructed or arranged in the vented zone to increase itsair permeability as compared to the air permeability of the fabric atlocations in the first article of apparel portion (i.e., the portion notcontaining the vented zone) or the fabric in the first article ofapparel portion may be treated or otherwise constructed or arranged tolower its air permeability as compared to that of the material in thevented zone). In other examples of the invention, a different materialmay make up the vented zone as compared to the material in the firstarticle of apparel portion.

III. General Apparel Configurations

In general, aspects of this invention relate to article of apparelshaving vented zones at specifically targeted locations of the article ofapparel structure to improve cooling efficiency and effectiveness andthereby, in at least some instances, increase the athlete's comfortlevel and improve his or her performance. As described above, much heatenergy is generated in an athlete's body as a result of physicalexertion, and this heat energy must be dissipated in some manner toprovide a more comfortable workout and/or to prevent the athlete's corebody temperature from rising to dangerous levels. Physiological researchconducted in connection with this invention demonstrated that if alimited area of mesh is positioned on an athlete's torso, applying thosemesh panels to the sides and down the center of the back provided themost effective ventilatory cooling during work in heat. Article ofapparels having targeted venting zones provided at one or more of theselocations allow a significant reduction in the core body temperaturerise during exercise and physical exertion as compared to article ofapparels having no venting and article of apparels having venting inother areas.

Article of apparels having targeted venting in accordance with at leastsome aspects of this invention may include, for example: (a) a firstarticle of apparel portion formed of a fabric material, wherein thefirst article of apparel portion has an air permeability of less than550 ft³/min per ft²; and (b) a second article of apparel portion formingan article of apparel structure with at least the first article ofapparel portion, wherein the second article of apparel portion includesa first vented zone, wherein a material forming the first vented zonehas an air permeability of at least 550 ft³/min per ft², and wherein thefirst vented zone is at least 12 in² and is provided at a targetedlocation in the article of apparel structure to cool the wearer's body.The vented zone may be any desired size without departing from theinvention, for example, at least 20 in², or even at least 30 in². One ormore, additional article of apparel portions including one or moreadditional vented zones like those described above may be included inthe article of apparel structure without departing from the invention.Such additional vented zones, when present, may be located separate fromthe first vented zone. In at least some examples of the invention, thefirst article of apparel portion may form a majority of the article ofapparel structure.

Article of apparels according to at least some more specific examples ofthe invention fit at least a portion of a torso of a wearer and include:(a) a first article of apparel portion formed of a fabric material andhaving an air permeability of less than 550 ft³/min per ft²; and (b) asecond article of apparel portion forming an article of apparelstructure with at least the first article of apparel portion, whereinthe second article of apparel portion includes a first vented zone,wherein a material forming the first vented zone has an air permeabilityof at least 550 ft³/min per ft². In at least some examples, at least aportion of the first vented zone may be from about 2 to about 6 inchesin a first dimension and at least about 10 inches in another dimensionand extend along a center back portion of the article of apparelstructure. In other examples, at least a portion of the first ventedzone may be from about 2 to about 6 inches in a first dimension and atleast about 6 inches in another dimension and extend along a first sideportion of the article of apparel structure. Optionally, each sideportion of the article of apparels may include vented zones like thosedescribed above. As still another option, article of apparels inaccordance with at least some examples of this invention may include anycombination or all of the center back vented zone and one or more sidevented zones.

In at least some examples, the first article of apparel portion may havean air permeability of less than 500 ft³/min per ft², and even less than450 ft³/min per ft². Additionally or alternatively, at least someexample article of apparels will have a second article of apparelportion having an air permeability of at least 600 ft³/min per ft², andin some examples, the air permeability will be at least 700 ft³/min perft² and even at least 800 ft³/min per ft².

Zoned venting, like that described above, helps keep an athlete coolerby increasing air flow over various targeted regions of the body (e.g.,the center back and two sides). The body releases a significant amountof its excess heat in the center back area, and increased air flow inthis region, via zoned venting, speeds up the evaporation of sweat fromthe skin, and hence, speeds up the evaporative cooling process (asdescribed above). Additionally, this improved air flow moves fresh andrelatively cool air into the targeted regions and moves the heated airout. Vented zones at the athlete's sides help improve intake and exhaustair flow when the body is moving forward or laterally, movement thattypically occurs during exercise and/or sporting events. When ventedzones are provided at the center back and both lateral sides, air canflow into the article of apparel at the article of apparel sides andaround to the back and out, evaporating sweat and moving heated air awayfrom the body.

In at least some studies, the rise in core body temperature duringexercise when wearing an example article of apparel in accordance withthe invention (e.g., an article of apparel having center back and twoside vented zones) was between about 0.2° F. to 0.5° F. lower ascompared to exercise under similar conditions wearing article ofapparels vented in other areas (with the same total venting area) and ascompared to exercise under similar conditions wearing unvented articleof apparels. Although this may be meaningless to the athlete who ismerely “warm,” an increase of even a few tenths of a degree can be verydistressing to the athlete who is approaching his/her limit of heattolerance.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to methods for formingarticle of apparels having targeted vented zones, e.g., like thosedescribed above. Such methods may include, for example: (a) providing afirst article of apparel portion formed of a fabric material, whereinthe first article of apparel portion has an air permeability of lessthan 550 ft³/min per ft²; (b) providing a second article of apparelportion including a first vented zone, wherein a material forming thefirst vented zone has an air permeability of at least 550 ft³/min perft², and wherein the first vented zone is at least 12 in², and in someexamples may be at least 20 in², or even at least 30 in²; and (c)forming an article of apparel structure including at least the firstarticle of apparel portion and the second article of apparel portion,wherein the first vented zone is provided at a targeted location in thearticle of apparel structure to cool the wearer's body. If desired, thearticle of apparel structure may be formed to include a plurality ofvented zones, as generally described above.

As a more specific example, for article of apparels that fit at least aportion of a torso of a wearer, methods in accordance with some examplesof the invention may include: (a) providing a first article of apparelportion formed of a fabric material, wherein the first article ofapparel portion has an air permeability of less than 550 ft³/min perft²; (b) providing a second article of apparel portion including a firstvented zone, wherein a material forming the first vented zone has an airpermeability of at least 550 ft³/min per ft², and wherein at least aportion of the first vented zone is from about 2 to about 6 inches in afirst dimension and at least about 6 or at least about 10 inches in asecond dimension; and (c) forming an article of apparel structureincluding at least the first article of apparel portion and the secondarticle of apparel portion, wherein the first vented zone extends alonga center back portion of the article of apparel structure or along aside portion of the article of apparel structure. Again, plural ventedzones may be included in the article of apparel structure withoutdeparting from the invention.

As noted above, additional aspects of this invention relate to systemsand methods for cooling an athlete's body during an event or exerciseroutine. Systems in accordance with at least some examples of thisinvention may include: (a) a piece of apparel or athletic equipment; and(b) a container for receiving liquid and the piece of apparel orathletic equipment. The container further may include instructionsand/or indicia indicating at least one amount of a liquid (such aswater) to be included in the container to wet the piece of apparel orathletic equipment prior to it being donned by a wearer. As anotheroption, the container may be appropriately sized such that a user mayplace the piece of apparel or athletic equipment in the container andthen fill (or substantially fill) the container with liquid. Thecontainer also may include a closure system, e.g., for holding thearticle of apparel and the liquid in a liquid tight manner. Thecontainer may be repeatably openable and closeable, so that the articleof apparel can be wet repeatedly, if necessary or desired, e.g., fornumerous events or exercise routines and/or for lengthy events orexercise routines.

In at least some examples, the piece of apparel or athletic equipmentmay constitute an article of apparel for at least a torso of the wearer,optionally including one or more of the venting zones, such as thevarious article of apparels described above.

Methods in accordance with these aspects of the invention may include,for example: (a) wetting a piece of apparel or athletic equipment; (b)at least 20 minutes prior to a start of an event or exercise routine,donning the wetted piece of apparel or athletic equipment and wearing itin a wetted condition (optionally while resting, maintaining a low levelof physical activity, and/or staying in a cool environment) so as tocool a wearer's body prior to the start; and (c) participating in theevent or exercise routine. In some instances, the athlete will continueresting, maintain a low activity level, and/or remain in a cool locationfor at least 20 minutes, in order to pre-cool the body prior to theevent or exercise routine. Optionally, if desired, the piece of apparelor athletic equipment may be doffed prior to participating in the eventor exercise routine, and further, if desired, it may be re-donned afterthe event or routine (optionally with re-wetting, if necessary) and usedto cool the body after the event or routine. As another alternative, thepiece of apparel or athletic equipment may be worn during and/or afterthe event or exercise routine, with re-wetting if and when necessary, toallow the athlete to benefit from the cooling effects before, during,and/or after the event or routine.

In at least some example methods according to the invention, the athletefurther may warm up after donning the piece of apparel or athleticequipment and shortly before participating in the event or exerciseroutine. If desired, the athlete may warm up while wearing thepre-wetted piece of apparel or athletic equipment, to keep the athlete'sbody cool while the muscles are stretched and warmed up. The warm up maybegin at any suitable time, such as after an initial pre-cooling timeperiod of at least about 20 minutes and about 10 or 15 minutes beforethe event or exercise routine starts.

Specific examples of the invention are described in more detail below.The reader should understand that these specific examples are set forthmerely to illustrate examples of the invention, and they should not beconstrued as limiting the invention.

IV. Exemplar Apparel Configurations Apparel having Zoned Venting

The figures in this application illustrate various examples of apparelin accordance with this invention. When the same reference numberappears in more than one drawing, that reference number is usedconsistently in this specification and the drawings to refer to the samepart or element throughout.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example article of apparel 100 in accordance withone example of this invention for at least partially fitting a torso ofa wearer. The article of apparel 100 includes a head or neck opening102, two arm openings 104, and a waist opening 106, as is conventionaland known in the art. While the article of apparel 100 is shown as ashort-sleeved athletic jersey, any desired article of apparel style maybe used without departing from the invention, including, for example: along sleeved jersey; a tank top type jersey; a tight, body-fittingarticle of apparel, such as a track suit, wrestling uniform, or leotard;and the like.

The article of apparel 100 includes a vented zone 108 that extends alonga center back portion of the article of apparel structure (i.e., alongthe article of apparel wearer's spine). The vented zone 108 may be ofany suitable or desired size, shape, arrangement, or dimension withoutdeparting from the invention, for example, depending on the overall sizeof the article of apparel 100. In at least some examples, for a centerback vented zone like zone 108 shown in FIG. 1, the zone may be at leastabout 20 in², and in some examples, it may be at least about 30 in², oreven at least about 40 in² or 80 in² or larger. For a generallyrectangular vented zone, like that illustrated in FIG. 1, the zone 108(or at least a portion thereof) in some examples may be 2-6 inches wide(dimension “W” in FIG. 1). In some examples, at least a portion of thevented zone 108 may be from about 2 to about 5 inches wide or from about3 to about 5 inches wide. In still other more specific examples, men'sarticle of apparels may have an about 4 inch wide center back ventedzone 108, and women's article of apparels may have an about 3 inch widecenter back vented zone 108.

The overall length (dimension “L” in FIG. 1) of a generally rectangularcenter back vented zone 108 like that illustrated in FIG. 1 also mayvary, for example, depending on the overall size of the article ofapparel. As examples, the center back vented zone 108 may extend fromproximate to the neck opening 102 in the article of apparel structure100 to a waist area of the article of apparel structure 100 (i.e., thearea where a wearer's waist would be located when the article of apparel100 is worn), as shown in FIG. 1. In numerical terms, the center backvented zone 108 in at least some examples of the invention may extend atleast 10 inches (dimension “L”), or even at least 15 inches or at least20 inches or more in some examples. “Proximate” to the neck opening 102,as used in this example (and as also generally used in thisspecification), means having an end within about 3 inches from the neckopening 102. Vented zones terminating or beginning at an opening areconsidered to be located “proximate to” the opening, for purposes ofthis specification.

FIG. 2 illustrates another example article of apparel 200 in accordancewith some aspects of this invention. In this example, the center backvented zone 202 extends essentially the entire length of the center backof the article of apparel 200, i.e., from at the neck opening 102 (orclosely proximate to it) to the waist opening 106 (or closely proximateto it). The term “closely proximate,” as used in this example (and asalso generally used in this specification), means having an end withinabout 1 inch from the respective opening in the article of apparel.Vented zones terminating or beginning at an opening are considered to belocated “closely proximate to” the opening, for purposes of thisspecification.

Another example of an article of apparel 300 in accordance with at leastsome aspects of this invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. In thisexample, the article of apparel 300 includes two vented zones 302 and304, one zone located beneath each of the article of apparel structure'ssleeves and extending toward the article of apparel structure's waistopening 106. For these side vented zones 302 and 304, the various sizes,shapes, arrangements, and dimensions also may vary without departingfrom the invention, for example, depending on the overall size of thearticle of apparel. Additionally, the dimensions, size, shape, andarrangement of a side vented zone need not be identical to those of thevented zone on the opposite side of the article of apparel, although thevented zones may be the same without departing from the invention. Assome examples, each side vented zone 302 and 304 may be at least about12 in², and in some examples, at least about 20 in² or even at least 30in² or more. For generally rectangular shaped vented zones, like thoseillustrated in FIG. 3, at least a portion of each side vented zone 302and 304 may be about 2 to about 6 inches wide and extend at leastpartially down the side portion of the article of apparel 300 (e.g., tobe located immediately beneath the user's arms and at the user's sideswhen wearing the article of apparel 300). In some examples, at least aportion of the side vented zones 302 and 304 may be from about 2 toabout 5 inches wide or from about 3 to about 5 inches wide. As stillmore specific examples, men's article of apparels may have side ventedzones 302 and 304 that are about 3 inches wide, and women's article ofapparels may have side vented zones 302 and 304 that are about 2.5inches wide.

The overall length of the side vented zones 302 and 304 also may varywithout departing from the invention, for example, depending on the sizeof the article of apparel. As examples, the side vented zones may extendfrom proximate to (or closely proximate to) an armpit seam or proximateto (or closely proximate to) an arm opening (e.g., along the article ofapparel's sleeves or at an arm opening for a tank top type article ofapparel) in the article of apparel structure 300 to a waist area of thearticle of apparel structure 300. In other examples, each side ventedzone 302 and 304 may extend proximate to or closely proximate to a waistopening 106 in the article of apparel structure 300, as illustrated inFIG. 3. For some more specific numeric examples, the side vented zones302 and 304 may extend at least 6 inches along the side of the articleof apparel structure 300, and even at least 10 inches or at least 15inches in other examples.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example article of apparel structure 400. Inthis illustrated example, the article of apparel structure 400 includesboth a center back vented zone 202 and two side vented zones 302 and304. While the illustrated example article of apparel structure 400shows the vented zones extending all the way or closely proximate to thewaist opening 106, the various vented zones 202, 302, and 304 can takeon any suitable dimensions, size, arrangement, and shape withoutdeparting from the invention, including, for example, the variousdimensions, sizes, arrangements, and shapes described above. As somemore specific examples, one or more of the vented zones 202, 302, and304 could end generally in the waist area of the article of apparelstructure 400 (rather than at or proximate to the waist opening 106),one or both of the side vented zones 302 and 304 could extend all theway to the arm openings 104, or the like.

Aspects of this invention are not limited to use with jerseys, tanktops, and other article of apparels for covering only the torso of awearer. FIG. 5 illustrates another example article of apparel structure500 in which aspects of the invention may be used. In FIG. 5, thearticle of apparel 500 is a leotard or track suit type article ofapparel that at least partially covers both the wearer's torso, waistand upper leg areas. As illustrated, this example article of apparelstructure 500 includes a neck or head opening 102, two arm openings 104,and two leg openings 502. In this example, the article of apparelstructure 500 includes a single center back vented zone 504 that extendsfrom proximate to the neck opening 102 down to the waist area of thearticle of apparel structure 500. The vented zone 504 may take on anydesired size, shape, dimensions, and arrangement, including the varioussizes, shapes, dimensions, and arrangements described above inconjunction with FIGS. 1, 2, and 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example leotard or track suit type article ofapparel structure 600 in accordance with aspects of this invention. Inthis example, rather than a center back vented zone, vented zones 602are provided along each side of the article of apparel structure 600.While in the illustrated example each side vented zone 602 extends allthe way down and closely proximate to leg opening 502, any suitable ordesired size, shape, arrangement, and dimensions may be used for theside vented zones 602, including the various sizes, shapes,arrangements, and dimensions described above in conjunction with FIGS.3-4.

FIG. 7 illustrates another example leotard or track suit type article ofapparel structure 700 in accordance with some examples of thisinvention. In this example, the article of apparel structure 700includes a center back vented zone 702 and two side vented zones 704.The example illustrated in FIG. 7 illustrates various other dimensionsand arrangements of the vented zones 702 and 704 within the article ofapparel structure 700. For example, in the structure 700 of FIG. 7, thecenter back vented zone 702 extends substantially all the way or closelyproximate to the neck opening 102 in the article of apparel structure700. The side vented zones 704 and the center back vented zone 702 inthis example all terminate at their lower ends in the waist area of thearticle of apparel structure 700. Of course, any suitable or desiredsize, shape, arrangement, and dimensions may be used for the variousvented zones 702 and 704 without departing from the invention, includingthe various sizes, shapes, arrangements, and dimensions described abovein conjunction with FIGS. 1-6.

The various vented zones in an article of apparel structure (e.g., thecenter back vented zone and/or one or more the side vented zones) alsomay be continuous or discontinuous, for example, over their width and/orlength and/or other dimensions, without departing from the invention.FIG. 8 illustrates an example article of apparel structure 800 in whichthe center back vented zone 802 is discontinuous over its length, butthe side vented zones 806 are continuous over their lengths. Asillustrated, vented zone 802 is made up of four distinct vented zoneregions, namely regions 802A, 802B, 802C, and 802D, wherein the materialof the remainder of the article of apparel (e.g., material having an airpermeability less than 600 ft³/minute/ft²) is provided between thevented zone regions 802A, 802B, 802C, and 802D (i.e., in the regionslabeled 804). Any number of vented zone regions may be included in anarticle of apparel structure without departing from the invention. In atleast some examples, the overall length of the vented zone 802, whichcorresponds to the sum of the lengths of the vented zone regions 802Athrough 802D (i.e., L_(A)+L_(B)+L_(C)+L_(D)), may be at least 10 inches,or even at least 15 inches or at least 20 inches or more in someexamples. Alternatively, in at least some examples, any one or moreindividual vented zone region 802A through 802D may be at least 10inches long, or at least 15 or 20 inches long without departing from theinvention.

FIG. 9 illustrates another example of an article of apparel structure900 of the leotard or track suit type in which all of the illustratedvented zones are discontinuous. Specifically, in this example, both thecenter back vented zone 902 and the side vented zones 904 arediscontinuous and composed of a plurality of vented zone regions. Thesize, shape, arrangement, and dimensions of the various vented zones 902and 904 and their associated vented zone regions can vary widely,including, for example, in the various manners described above inconjunction with FIGS. 1-8.

Article of apparels in accordance with aspects of the present inventionmay be made from any desired material without departing from theinvention, including from conventional materials known to those skilledin the art. In at least some examples of the invention, the fabricmaterial forming the vented zone(s) may be a mesh type material or amaterial formed to include mesh openings, while the fabric materialmaking up the other portions of the article of apparel may be a non-meshmaterial (or not processed to include mesh openings and/or containingfewer mesh openings). The article of apparel portions other than theportions including the vented zones, in at least some examples of theinvention, may make up a majority of the article of apparel structureand/or may cover a majority of the torso and/or the lower torso of thewearer.

As mentioned above, the entire article of apparel may be made from asingle type of material (and even from a single piece of material), inat least some examples of the invention, but the material provided inthe vented zones of the article of apparel may be processed or otherwisealtered in some manner to increase its air permeability (and therebyprovide the vented zone). Such processing may include, for example:laser treatments (to perforate the material and/or provide a meshstructure); calendaring, rolling, and/or other physical treatments toperforate the material and/or provide a mesh structure; stretching thefabric and/or weave (to increase inter-fiber distance); and the like.Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the entire article ofapparel may be made from a single type of material, but materialprovided in the portions of the article of apparel not including thevented zones may be processed or otherwise altered in some manner toreduce its air permeability (e.g., by heat treatment to reduceinter-fiber distance in the weave, by applying a second layer or ply,and the like). As still another alternative, different types of weavesand/or yarn or fiber thicknesses may be used in the various regions ofthe article of apparel structure to provide the vented regions and/orthe less air permeable regions. The processing or other activity toalter the air permeability of at least some portion of the article ofapparel, if any, may take place either before or after the actualarticle of apparel structure is formed (e.g., sewn together) withoutdeparting from the invention.

In still other examples, article of apparels in accordance with theinvention may be made such that different types of material (and/ordifferent pieces of material) make up the various portions of thearticle of apparel structure. Such pieces of material may be sewntogether and/or otherwise joined together to form an article of apparelstructure in any suitable or desired manner without departing from theinvention, including in conventional manners known in the art. Anydesired number of different types of materials and/or materials havingdifferent air permeability characteristics may be included in article ofapparels without departing from the invention. Additionally, if desired,the materials used for creating the various vented zones may be the sameor different within a single article of apparel, and, if desired, thedifferent vented zones may have different air permeabilitycharacteristics with respect to one another within a single article ofapparel.

Examples of suitable materials for the article of apparels in accordancewith the invention include both natural and synthetic materials andmixtures thereof. More specific examples of suitable natural materialsinclude: leathers, cotton materials, wool materials, silk materials, andthe like. More specific examples of synthetic materials include:polyesters, vinyls, nylons, rubbers, spandex, polyester microfibers,polyester microfiber cotton blends, polyester microfiber cotton spandexblends, and the like. In some examples, article of apparels inaccordance with the invention may include peppermint coated or infusedfabric or fibers, as described in more detail below.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to methods for formingarticle of apparels like those described above. Such methods mayinclude, for example: (a) providing a first article of apparel portionformed of a fabric material, wherein the first article of apparelportion has an air permeability of less than 550 ft³/min per ft²; (b)providing a second article of apparel portion including a first ventedzone, wherein a material forming the first vented zone has an airpermeability of at least 550 ft³/min per ft²; and (c) forming an articleof apparel structure including at least the first article of apparelportion and the second article of apparel portion, wherein the firstvented zone extends along a center back portion of the article ofapparel structure or along a side portion of the article of apparelstructure. Optionally, as described above, vented zones, like thosedescribed above, may be provided in the center back portion, along oneside, and/or along both sides of the article of apparel structurewithout departing from the invention. Alternatively, article of apparelsmay be formed for covering other portions of the body and/or the ventedzones may be provided at locations other than and/or in addition to thearticle of apparel's back center or sides.

The various method steps described above may take place in any orderwithout departing from the invention. For example, as mentioned above,the article of apparel may be formed first (e.g., from a single type offabric material), and then the vented zone or zones may be provided (atthe appropriate desired location(s)) by increasing the air permeabilityof the fabric at the vented zone location (e.g., by perforating thefabric, by laser treatment, by creating a mesh structure, by eliminatinga layer or ply of material, by stretching the fabric, or in any othersuitable or desired manner). As another option, two different article ofapparel portions (having different air permeabilities, and optionallyformed of different types of materials) may be provided and then thearticle of apparel structure may be formed in any suitable or desiredmanner, for example, by sewing the article of apparels portions together(optionally with an intervening fabric between the two article ofapparel portions), or in any other conventional manner.

The vented zones also may take on any suitable or desired color or shapewithout departing from the invention. As examples, the article ofapparel portion(s) including the vented zones may be made a differentcolor from the article of apparel portions having a lower airpermeability, and indeed the various vented zones may be differentlycolored from one another. As another example, there is no need to makethe vented zones in a rectangular shape as illustrated in FIGS. 1-9, butrather, the vented zones may be round, oval, elliptical, or any otherdesired shape without departing from the invention. Different shapes maybe used in a single article of apparel or in a single vented zone. Ifdesired, the vented zones themselves and/or discontinuities in thevented zone structures may be used, for example, to form or partiallyform printed information, logos, trademarks, designs, and the like inthe article of apparel structure. Any type of information or design maybe included or formed by the vented zones and discontinuities in thevented zones without departing from this invention.

Pre-Cooling and Body Temperature Regulation and Reduction

Additional aspects of the invention relate to apparel and/or equipmenttechnology that may be pre-wetted and used, e.g., in a predeterminedprotocol, prior to, during, and/or after an athletic event or exerciseroutine, in an effort to cool the athlete's body and/or regulate orreduce the body's temperature. Such pre-cooling and/or temperaturemaintenance and reduction efforts may help slow the rise of the body'score temperature before and during the event or exercise, and alsoreduce the temperature after the event or exercise, using bothevaporative and conductive cooling processes (e.g., evaporative coolinglike the sweating process described above, and conductive cooling whenthe pre-wetted article of apparel or equipment may be used as a mediumto conduct heat from the warm skin to the cooler air, thereby leavingthe body cooler).

In at least some examples of the invention, at least some portion of anathlete's apparel or equipment may be pre-wetted with water (or anotherdesired liquid) before the event or exercise begins, and this pre-wettedapparel or equipment then may be worn by the athlete. Therefore, whenthe wetted apparel or equipment is donned by the athlete, the athlete'score body temperature has not yet risen as a result of the physicalexertion associated with the event or exercise, and the sweatingresponse (in at least some instances) has not yet been triggered. Whilenot wishing to be bound by any particular theory or method of operation,it is believed that wearing the article of apparel or equipment in apre-wetted condition before the event or exercise begins will cool theouter layer of the athlete's body and the blood contained in that layer.Once the event or exercise starts (the athlete optionally may remove allor part of the pre-wetted article of apparel during the event orexercise, if desired), increased blood circulation moves warmer bloodfrom the body's core to the cooler outer body layer, and the continuingcirculation moves cooler blood from the body's outer layer to its core.This action has been shown to contribute to a slower rise in core bodytemperature during the event or exercise. After the event or exercise,the wetted apparel or equipment (or another piece of wetted apparel orequipment and/or a rewetted piece of apparel or equipment) may be used(re-donned, if necessary) to speed up cooling of the body, which resultsin a faster drop in the core body temperature. This procedure, whileeffective and useful, is not recommended as a method of choice for themedical treatment of hyperthermia.

Any suitable or desired piece of apparel, article of apparel, orequipment may be pre-wet and used in methods according to examples ofthe invention. For example, in at least some instances, a piece ofapparel having zoned venting, like those described above in conjunctionwith FIGS. 1-9, may be pre-wet and used in the various example pre-eventor exercise cooling protocols (as will be described in more detailbelow). As another example, a piece of pre-wetted apparel or equipmentmay be used for pre-event or routine cooling, doffed immediately priorto the event or exercise routine, and then a piece of apparel havingzoned venting like that described above, can be donned for the actualevent or exercise. Optionally, if desired, an article of apparel havingzoned venting can be worn under the pre-wetted piece of apparel orequipment such that this article of apparel will remain when thepre-wetted article of apparel is doffed for the event or routine.

While various pre-event or routine body cooling protocols may be used inaccordance with examples of the invention, some more specific examplesof suitable protocols follow. In at least some examples, a piece ofapparel or other equipment in accordance with aspects of this inventionmay be pre-wet with a predetermined amount of water, e.g., using atleast about 0.5 ml of water per gram of dry fabric. In some examples,article of apparels or other equipment in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention may be sold in or with a watertight container,optionally in a pre-wetted condition. The volume of water needed topre-wet the apparel or equipment may vary, e.g., depending on thematerial type; the apparel size, configuration, or style; the degree ofwetness desired; ambient temperature; the type or length of event orroutine; etc.

In one pre-event or pre-exercise cooling protocol, the pre-wettedapparel or equipment initially may be donned by the athlete some timeprior to the start of the event or exercise routine, e.g., at least 20minutes before the event or exercise routine is to start, and in someexamples at least 25, 30, or even 40 minutes before the event orexercise routine is to start. As part of this example pre-event orexercise cooling protocol, the athlete then will stay in the coolestenvironment reasonably available (e.g., in the shade, in the lockerroom, in air-conditioning, near a fan or other cooling device, and thelike) for at least about 20 minutes, while resting and/or with minimalphysical activity, to support maximum pre-event cooling. If necessary ordesired, the apparel or equipment may be re-wet as needed during thispre-event cooling time period.

As the start of the event approaches, the athlete may need or desire awarm-up time period. If a warm-up is desired, the athlete may start thewarm-up (e.g., a light warm up) about 20 minutes or less, and in someexamples, about 10 minutes or 15 minutes or less, before the event orexercise routine is to begin. In at least some examples, the pre-wettedapparel or equipment may continue to be worn during this warm-up period.In this manner, when the athlete begins the event or exercise, he or shewill be stretched and warmed up, but the body still will be somewhatcooler than would be the case without this pre-cooling regimen.

During the event or exercise routine, in at least some examples, theathlete may wear the pre-wetted apparel or equipment, if desired orallowed by the rules of the competition. Doing so may help furtherreduce the rate-of-rise in the athlete's core body temperature duringthe physical exertion associated with the event or exercise.Additionally, as noted above, a pre-wetted piece of apparel or equipmentalso may be worn after the event or exercise routine, to enhancecooling. Alternatively, in some examples, a portion of the wetted pieceof apparel or equipment may be removed for the event or routine, such assleeves, pant legs, and the like.

A piece of apparel used in accordance with these aspects of theinvention may be made from any desired natural, synthetic, or blendedmaterials or combinations thereof, in any desired configuration, style,or combination, optionally with the vented zones as described above inconjunction with FIGS. 1-9. As examples, the piece of apparel may be aT-shirt, jersey, pants, or track suit type article of apparel (likethose described above), of any desired size, optionally sleeveless,short-sleeved, long-sleeved, with removable sleeves, with removable pantlegs, etc. In at least some examples of the invention, the apparelproduct for the pre-wetting protocol (optionally including the ventedzones as described above) may be constructed from high-performance sweatmanagement materials (e.g., like thin, lightweight fabrics made from orcontaining polyester microfibers, polyester microfiber cotton blends,polyester microfiber cotton spandex blends, polyester spandex blends,and the like) optionally, materials that have been infused withpeppermint (e.g., materials including peppermint microcapsules in oradhered to at least some fibers making up the material, materialsexposed to or coated with peppermint oil, materials having peppermintmicrocapsules or oil applied to the fibers via a binder or textilefinish, or the like). Studies indicate that peppermint infused fabricsmay help decrease an athlete's perception of how hard he/she is working,reduce fatigue, boost mood, and/or increase alertness. In some morespecific examples, apparel in accordance with various aspects of thisinvention may be made from or include a “Sphere Dry” polyester knitmaterial and/or a Dri-FIT polyester material, as included in variouscommercial products available from NIKE, Inc., of Beaverton, Oreg.Optionally, the Sphere Dry and/or Dri-FIT materials (or other materials,equipment, etc.) may be infused or coated with peppermint microcapsulesor peppermint oil in any suitable or desired manner (e.g., bound to thefabric and/or applied as a fabric or textile finish). Suitablepeppermint microcapsules and/or peppermint oil are known in the art andcommercially available, e.g., from International Flavors & Fragrances(“IFF”).

Of course, variations and modifications of the pre-event or pre-exercisecooling protocol may be used without departing from the invention. Forexample, a limited amount of water may be used for the pre-wettingprocess, to avoid overly saturating the pre-wetted article of apparel orequipment. As examples, for a T-shirt or jersey type article of apparel,the article of apparel may be pre-wet with 0.5 ml to 3 ml of water pergram of material in the piece of apparel (when dry). In some examples,the pre-wetting water amount may be about 0.8 to 1.5 ml of water pergram of dry material, and about 1 ml/g, in at least some examples. Thevarious time periods described in the protocol above (e.g., thepre-event rest and cooling time period, the warm-up time period, and anydesired post-event cool down time period) may vary widely, depending,for example, on athlete preference, the type of event or workout, thelength of the event or workout, the ambient temperature, the energyexpended during the event or workout, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 10A, in at least some instances, apparel or equipment1000 used for pre-wetting protocols in accordance with aspects of theinvention may include a container 1010 used for the pre-wetting process.The container 1010 may take on any suitable form, such as a bag, aplastic tube and cover assembly, and the like. The example illustratedin FIG. 10A shows a container 1010 in the form of a plastic or fabricbag, optionally a transparent bag that is recyclable and/or made fromrecycled material. In at least some examples, the container 1010 may bemade of a material that can dry easily (e.g., does not substantiallyabsorb or retain water) and one that is resistant to growth of mold,bacteria, and the like (or is treated to resist such growth). In someexamples, the container 1010 may include markings, gradations, or otherindicia 1012 thereon, e.g., akin to markings on a measuring cup, toindicate an appropriate amount of water to add into the container 1010for apparel wetting purposes, e.g., for various article of apparel 1000sizes and/or characteristics. Any suitable style of indicia 1012, formor mechanism for including the indicia 1012, or information may beincluded in the indicia 1012 without departing from the invention. Asanother example, the container 1010's size may be selected, e.g., basedon the associated article of apparel's size and/or other characteristics(such as material type), such that when the article of apparel 1000 isplaced in the container 1010, the container 1010 then may be filled orsubstantially filled with water, to thereby provide the appropriatewater amount and pre-wetting level.

In use, water is added to the container 1010 to the appropriate levelfor the article of apparel 1000 size, and the article of apparel 1000 isplaced in the container 1010 as shown by the arrow 1014 in FIG. 10A andas illustrated in FIG. 10B. Alternatively, the article of apparel 1000may be placed in the container 1010 and the water then added, asmentioned above. The container 1010 then may be closed and/or sealed inany appropriate manner (e.g., using a cover, a water tight zip-type seal1016, by hand, etc.) if desired, and container 1010 and article ofapparel 1000 may be squeezed, shaken, and otherwise handled as needed toappropriately and uniformly wet the article of apparel 1000. The articleof apparel 1000 then can be removed from the container 1010 and donnedby the athlete, and the pre-event cooling time period may begin.Container 1010 (and this procedure) can be used repeatedly by theathlete, e.g., for numerous events or exercise outings, repeatedly overlong events or outings, etc.

Optionally, if desired, in at least some instances, pieces of appareland other equipment in accordance with the invention may be packaged forsale, distribution, and/or use in or along with a container like thatillustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B. Optionally, in at least someinstances, the apparel or equipment may be packaged for sale,distribution and/or use in a container along with water or other liquid,in a pre-wetted condition.

V. Apparel with a Modifiable Textile Structures

The various article of apparels 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800,900, and 1000 disclosed above incorporate a mesh material in specificzones. A variety of other materials may also be suitable for the variousarticle of apparels 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, and1000. With reference to FIG. 4, for example, article of apparel 400includes center back vented zone 202 and side vented zones 302 and 304,which are formed from a mesh or otherwise air-permeable material. Moreparticularly, center back vented zone 202 and side vented zones 302 and304 are formed of a material that is more air permeable than otherportions of article of apparel 400.

The enhanced cooling effect imparted by center back vented zone 202 andside vented zones 302 and 304 is beneficial when the athlete's body hasan elevated temperature, for example. The enhanced cooling effect may beless beneficial, however, when the athlete's body is at a restingtemperature, for example. Accordingly, the degree of air permeability inareas of article of apparel 400 corresponding with the back and sidesthat is beneficial may change in relation to the athlete's bodytemperature. As discussed in the following material, various textilestructures that change or are otherwise modified by a physical stimulus,such as the presence of water or a temperature change, may beincorporated into any of article of apparels 100, 200, 300, 400, 500,600, 700, 800, 900, and 1000.

VI. Exemplar Modifiable Textile Structures

An article of apparel 10 is depicted in FIG. 11 as having the generalconfiguration of a conventional short-sleeved shirt. One skilled in therelevant art will recognize, however, that the various textilesdisclosed in the following material may be incorporated into articles ofapparel exhibiting a variety of configurations, including long-sleevedshirts, headwear, coats, jackets, pants, underwear, gloves, socks, andfootwear, for example. Accordingly, the various concepts disclosed inthe following discussion and accompanying figures with respect toapparel 10 may be utilized in connection with a variety of apparelconfigurations.

The primary elements of apparel 10 include a torso portion 11 and twoarm portions 12 a and 12 b. Torso portion 11 corresponds with a torso ofan individual and, therefore, covers the torso when worn. Similarly, armportions 12 a and 12 b respectively correspond with a right arm and aleft arm of the individual and cover the arms when worn. Apparel 10exhibits, therefore, the general configuration of a conventionallong-sleeved shirt. In contrast with the conventional long-sleevedshirt, however, apparel 10 is at least partially formed from a textilewith a structure that is modified by a physical stimulus, therebychanging properties of the textile. For example, the permeability ortexture of the textiles may change when exposed to water, increasedtemperature, or moving air (i.e., wind). Accordingly, the structures ofthe textiles may be modified in order to provide apparel 10 withdifferent properties. The following material discloses a variety oftextiles with a structure that is modified by a physical stimulus inorder to change the properties of the textile or apparel 10.

First Textile Structure

A portion of a textile 20 that is suitable for apparel 10 is disclosedin FIGS. 12 and 13. Textile 20 has the structure of an interwovenmaterial that includes a plurality of weft yarns 21 and a plurality ofwarp yarns 22. Textile 20 may be formed, therefore, bymechanically-manipulating yarns 21 and 22 thorough an interweavingprocess, which involves crossing and interweaving yarns 21 and 22 atsubstantially right angles to each other. The process of crossing andinterweaving yarns 21 and 22 at substantially right angles to each otherforms a plurality of discrete openings 23 that are located between thevarious yarns 21 and 22.

Each of yarns 21 and 22 are formed from one or more filaments or fibersthat experience a dimensional transformation when exposed to a specificphysical stimulus. In other words, the dimensions (i.e., length andthickness, for example) of yarns 21 and 22 change when textile 20 is inthe presence of the physical stimulus. The dimensional transformation ofyarns 21 and 22 has an effect upon the structure of textile 20. Moreparticularly, the dimensional transformation of yarns 21 and 22 modifiesthe structure of textile 20, thereby changing the properties of textile20. Accordingly, exposing textile 20 to the physical stimulus has theeffect of changing the properties of textile 20, thereby changing theproperties of apparel 10.

The manner in which exposing textile 20 to a physical stimulus has aneffect upon the properties of textile 20 will now be discussed. Withreference to FIG. 12, textile 20 is depicted in an unexposed state, inwhich yarns 21 and 22 are not exposed to the physical stimulus. Withreference to FIG. 13, however, textile 20 is depicted in an exposedstate, in which yarns 21 and 22 are exposed to the physical stimulus. Inthe unexposed state, yarns 21 and 22 exhibit dimensions with arelatively narrow thickness such that the area of each opening 23 isrelatively large. In the exposed state, however, yarns 21 and 22 exhibita greater thickness, which decreases the area of each opening 23. Thatis, exposing yarns 21 and 22 to the physical stimulus causes yarns 21and 22 to increase in thickness, which decreases the area of eachopening 23 and modifies the structure of textile 20.

The modification in the structure of textile 20 (i.e., decreasing thearea of openings 23) changes the properties of textile 20. In theunexposed state, each opening 23 is relatively large. In the exposedstate, however, the area of each opening 23 is decreased, whichdecreases the overall permeability of textile 20 to water, light, andmoving air, for example. That is, the smaller area of each opening 23 inthe exposed state decreases the ease with which water, light, and movingair may penetrate or otherwise extend through textile 20. Accordingly,exposing textile 20 to a physical stimulus changes the permeabilityproperties of textile 20, thereby changing the permeability propertiesof apparel 10.

Various physical stimuli may induce a dimensional transformation ofyarns 21 and 22, including the presence of water (whether in a liquid orgaseous state), increased temperature, or moving air, for example. Withregard to water, many materials exhibit a tendency to absorb water andswell or otherwise transform dimensionally. The dimensionaltransformation may occur relatively rapidly due to immersion or contactwith liquid water. In addition, the dimensional transformation may occurrelatively slowly due to a prolonged exposure to air with a relativehumidity that is greater than 75 percent, for example. Textile 20, andparticularly yarns 21 and 22, may be formed from one or more of thesematerials that exhibit a tendency to transform dimensionally in thepresence of a physical stimulus such as water. Furthermore, yarns 21 and22 may be formed from materials that transform dimensionally due totemperature increases or moving air.

Yarns 21 and 22, as discussed above, may be formed from a variety ofmaterials that transform dimensionally in the presence of water. Forexample, at least a portion of the filaments or fibers in yarns 21 and22 may be formed of a moisture-absorptive polyester material, such asthe various moisture-absorptive polyester materials manufactured byTejin Fibers Limited of Japan. In some embodiments, yarns 21 and 22 maybe a 75 denier, 72 filament semi-dull textured polyester yarn, andsuitable formulations for the fiber or filament contents of yarns 21 and22 include: (i) 70 percent generally non-absorptive polyester and 30percent moisture-absorptive polyester; (ii) 76 percent generallynon-absorptive polyester and 24 percent moisture-absorptive polyester;(iii) 80 percent generally non-absorptive polyester and 20 percentmoisture-absorptive polyester; or (iv) 84 percent cationic-dyeablepolyester that is also generally non-absorptive and 16 percentmoisture-absorptive polyester. Accordingly, the percentage of the fibersor filaments formed from moisture-absorptive polyester may varyconsiderably within the scope of the present invention, and may alsorange from 5 percent to 100 percent in some embodiments. In each of theexamples above, a non-absorptive or otherwise dimensionally-stablepolyester fibers or filaments are combined with a moisture-absorptivepolyester fibers or filaments. Other non-absorptive polymer fibers orfilaments may also be utilized, such as rayon, nylon, and polyacrylic.In addition, silk, cotton, or wool may be utilized in yarns 21 and 22.Accordingly, a wide range of materials are suitable for the variousyarns 21 and 22.

When incorporated into article of apparel 10, textile 20 may be utilizedto protect or otherwise insulate the individual from specificenvironmental conditions. As discussed above, one physical stimulus thatinduces a dimensional transformation in yarns 21 and 22 is water, suchas rain. When rain or another source of water (i.e., the physicalstimulus) is not present, textile 20 is in the unexposed state andexhibits a relatively high permeability that permits air to freely enterand exit apparel 10, thereby cooling the individual. When significantquantities of water contact apparel 10, thereby placing textile 20 inthe exposed state, textile 20 exhibits a relatively low permeabilitythat inhibits the movement of water through textile 20. Morespecifically, water in the form of rain that contacts apparel 10 willcause openings 23 to decrease in area and limit the quantity of waterthat enters apparel 10. When yarns 21 and 22 are formed from a materialthat transforms dimensionally in the presence of heat, sunlight or otherheat sources induce openings 23 to decrease in area and limit thequantity of solar radiation that enters apparel 10. In addition, movingair in the form of wind may induce openings 23 to decrease in area tolimit the quantity of air that passes through apparel 10. Accordingly,forming textile 20 from yarns 21 and 22 that transform dimensionally inthe presence of one or more physical stimuli may be utilized toeffectively insulate the individual from specific environmentalconditions, such as rain, sunlight, or wind.

Based upon the above discussion, textile 20 may be formed from variousyarns 21 and 22 that transform dimensionally in the presence of aphysical stimulus. The dimensional transformation of yarns 21 and 22modify the structure of textile 20, thereby inducing a change in theproperties of textile 20. When incorporated into apparel 10, the changein the properties of textile 20 when exposed to the physical stimulusmay be utilized to insulate the individual from specific environmentalconditions, such as rain, sunlight, or wind. Accordingly, textile 20effectively adapts to changing environmental conditions in order toenhance the comfort of the individual wearing apparel 10.

Second Textile Structure

With respect to textile 20, both of yarns 21 and 22 are at leastpartially formed from materials that transform dimensionally in thepresence of a physical stimulus. In some embodiments, however, variousyarns may be entirely formed from a material that does notdimensionally-transform to a significant degree in the presence of aphysical stimulus. That is, some of the yarns forming the textile ofapparel 10 may be formed from a dimensionally-stable yarn that is notsignificantly affected by the physical stimulus.

A textile 30 is depicted in FIGS. 14 and 15 that includes a plurality ofweft yarns 31 a, a plurality of other weft yarns 31 b, a plurality ofwarp yarns 32 a, and a plurality of other warp yarns 32 b that definevarious openings 33. Whereas yarns 31 a and 32 a are formed from amaterial that dimensionally-transforms in the presence of a physicalstimulus, yarns 31 b and 32 b are formed from a dimensionally-stableyarn that is not significantly affected by the physical stimulus.

The manner in which exposing textile 30 to a physical stimulus has aneffect upon the properties of textile 30 will now be discussed. Withreference to FIG. 14, textile 30 is depicted in an unexposed state, inwhich yarns 31 a, 31 b, 32 a, and 32 b are not exposed to the physicalstimulus. With reference to FIG. 15, however, textile 30 is depicted inan exposed state, in which yarns 31 a, 31 b, 32 a, and 32 b are exposedto the physical stimulus. In the unexposed state, each of yarns 31 a, 31b, 32 a, and 32 b exhibit dimensions with a relatively narrow thicknesssuch that the area of each opening 33 is relatively large. In theexposed state, however, yarns 31 a and 32 a exhibit a greater thickness,which decreases the area of each opening 33. That is, exposing yarns 31a and 32 a to the physical stimulus causes yarns 31 a and 32 a toincrease in thickness, which decreases the area of each opening 33 andmodifies the structure of textile 30. As discussed above, yarns 31 b and32 b are formed from a dimensionally-stable yarn that is notsignificantly affected by the physical stimulus. Accordingly, 31 b and32 b do not transform dimensionally when exposed to the physicalstimulus.

The modification in the structure of textile 30 (i.e., decreasing thearea of openings 33) changes the properties of textile 30. In theunexposed state, each opening 33 is relatively large. In the exposedstate, however, the area of each opening 33 is decreased, whichdecreases the overall permeability of textile 30 to water, light, andmoving air, for example. That is, the smaller area of each opening 33 inthe exposed state decreases the ease with which water, light, and movingair may penetrate through textile 30. Accordingly, exposing textile 30to a physical stimulus changes the permeability properties of textile30. Given that textile 30 may replace textile 20 in apparel 10, exposingtextile 30 to a physical stimulus may be utilized to effectively changethe permeability properties of apparel 10.

An advantage of forming yarns 31 b and 32 b from a dimensionally-stableyarn that is not significantly affected by the physical stimulus relatesto the dimensional stability of textile 30. Yarns 31 b and 32 b form aweb in textile 30 that does not significantly change dimensions whenexposed to the physical stimulus. Whereas yarns 31 a and 32 a transformdimensionally, yarns 31 b and 32 b remain dimensionally-stable (i.e., intheir original dimensions). Accordingly, yarns 31 b and 32 b may beutilized to ensure that the shape and dimensions of textile 30 areretained, despite the dimensional transformation of yarns 31 a and 32 a.

Third Textile Structure

Another potential configuration for the textile that forms at least aportion of apparel 10 is disclosed in FIGS. 16 and 17, in which aplurality of weft yarns 41 and a plurality of warp yarns 42 definevarious openings 43. Whereas weft yarns 41 are formed from a materialthat dimensionally-transforms in the presence of a physical stimulus,warp yarns 42 are formed from a dimensionally-stable yarn that is notsignificantly affected by the physical stimulus. Accordingly, weft yarns41 do not substantially change dimensions when exposed to the physicalstimulus.

Exposing textile 40 to a physical stimulus modifies the structure oftextile 40, which has an effect upon the properties of textile 40. Withreference to FIG. 16, textile 40 is depicted in an unexposed state, inwhich yarns 41 and 42 are not exposed to the physical stimulus. Withreference to FIG. 17, however, textile 40 is depicted in an exposedstate, in which yarns 41 and 42 are exposed to the physical stimulus. Aswith textiles 20 and 30, exposing yarns 41 and 42 to the physicalstimulus causes yarns 41 to increase in thickness, which decreases thearea of each opening 43 and modifies the structure of textile 40. Themodification in the structure of textile 40 (i.e., decreasing the areaof openings 43) changes the properties of textile 40. In the unexposedstate, each opening 33 is relatively large. In the exposed state,however, the area of each opening 33 is decreased, which decreases theoverall permeability of textile 30 to water, light, and moving air, forexample. Given that textile 40 may replace textile 20 in apparel 10,exposing textile 40 to a physical stimulus may be utilized toeffectively change the permeability properties of apparel 10. As withtextile 30, forming warp yarns 42 from a dimensionally-stable yarn thatis not significantly affected by the physical stimulus ensures that theshape and dimensions of textile 40 are retained, despite the dimensionaltransformation of weft yarns 41.

Fourth Textile Structure

The configurations of textiles 20, 30, and 40 may be utilized to protector otherwise insulate the individual from specific environmentalconditions. As discussed above, the dimensional transformation ofvarious yarns induces the openings between the yarns to decrease inarea. The decrease in area decreases the permeability of textiles 20,30, and 40, thereby permitting less rain, sunlight, or wind to enterapparel 10. It may be desirable in some situations, however, to increasethe permeability of the textile forming apparel 10. For example,increasing the permeability may be utilized to increase air flow throughthe textile forming apparel 10, thereby enhancing the removal ofperspiration from the individual.

A textile 50 with the structure of an interwoven material that includesa plurality of weft yarns 51, a plurality of warp yarns 52 a, and aplurality of warp yarns 52 b is depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19. Textile 50may be formed, therefore, by mechanically-manipulating yarns 51, 52 a,and 52 b thorough an interweaving process, which involves crossing andinterweaving weft yarns 51 at substantially right angles to yarns 52 aand 52 b. The process of crossing and interweaving weft yarns 51 atsubstantially right angles to yarns 52 a and 52 b forms a plurality ofdiscrete openings 53.

Whereas yarns 52 a are formed from a material thatdimensionally-transforms in the presence of a physical stimulus, yarns51 and 52 b are formed from a dimensionally-stable yarn that is notsignificantly affected by the physical stimulus. In addition, warp yarns52 a exhibit an undulating or otherwise wavy configuration, whereasyarns 51 and 52 b are relatively straight.

The manner in which exposing textile 50 to a physical stimulus has aneffect upon the properties of textile 50 will now be discussed. Withreference to FIG. 18, textile 50 is depicted in an unexposed state, inwhich yarns 51, 52 a, and 52 b are not exposed to the physical stimulus.With reference to FIG. 19, however, textile 50 is depicted in an exposedstate, in which yarns 51, 52 a, and 52 b are exposed to the physicalstimulus. In the unexposed state, yarns 51, 52 a, and 52 b exhibitdimensions with a relatively narrow thickness such that the area of eachopening 53 is relatively small. In the exposed state, however, warpyarns 52 a exhibit a greater thickness and a greater degree ofundulation, which increases the area of each opening 53. That is,exposing yarns 51, 52 a, and 52 b to the physical stimulus causes warpyarns 52 a to increase in thickness and degree of undulation, whichincreases the area of each opening 53 and modifies the structure oftextile 50.

The modification in the structure of textile 50 (i.e., increasing thearea of openings 53) changes the properties of textile 50. In theunexposed state, each opening 53 is relatively small. In the exposedstate, however, the area of each opening 53 is increased, whichincreases the overall permeability of textile 50 to water, light, andmoving air, for example. That is, the greater area of each opening 53 inthe exposed state increases the ease with which water, light, and movingair may penetrate through textile 50. Accordingly, exposing textile 50to a physical stimulus increases the permeability properties of textile50, thereby increasing the permeability properties of apparel 10.

When incorporated into article of apparel 10, textile 50 may be utilizedto cool the individual and remove perspiration from the individual, forexample. Based upon the above discussion, therefore, textile 50 may beformed from various warp yarns 52 a that transform dimensionally and indegree of undulation in the presence of a physical stimulus. Thedimensional transformation of warp yarns 52 a modifies the structure oftextile 50, thereby inducing a change in the properties of textile 50.When incorporated into apparel 10, the change in the properties oftextile 50 when exposed to the physical stimulus may be utilized to coolthe individual and remove perspiration from the individual. Accordingly,textile 50 effectively adapts to changing perspiration levels of theindividual in order to enhance the comfort of the individual wearingapparel 10.

Fifth Textile Structure

Each of textiles 20, 30, 40, and 50 are formed thorough an interweavingprocess, which involves crossing and interweaving weft yarns and warpyarns at substantially right angles to each other. A textile that adaptsto changing perspiration levels of the individual, for example, in orderto enhance the comfort of the individual may also be formed throughother methods of mechanically-manipulating yarns. Referring to FIGS. 20and 21, a textile 60 that is formed through an interlooping process isdisclosed. Interlooping involves the formation of a plurality of columnsof intermeshed loops, with knitting being the most common method ofinterlooping. Textile 60 includes a plurality of courses (i.e., a row ofneedle loops produced by adjacent needles during the knitting cycle) anda plurality of wales (i.e., a column of intermeshed needle loopsgenerally produced by the same needle the knits at successive knittingcycles) that are formed from a yarn 61.

Yarn 61 is formed from a material that dimensionally-transforms in thepresence of a physical stimulus. More particularly, the dimensions ofyarn 61 (i.e., length and thickness, for example) may increase in thepresence of the physical stimulus. When exposed to a physical stimulus,yarn 61 dimensionally-transforms in both length and thickness. Althoughan increase thickness would appear to decrease the area of each opening62, the associated increase in length separates the various portions ofyarn 61 to a greater degree and actually increases the area of eachopening 63. That is, the increase in thickness has a greater effect uponthe area of openings 63 than the increase in thickness, therebyincreasing the overall area of each opening 63. When exposed to thephysical stimulus, therefore, the permeability of textile 60 mayincrease.

The manner in which exposing textile 60 to a physical stimulus has aneffect upon the properties of textile 60 will now be discussed ingreater detail. With reference to FIG. 20, textile 60 is depicted in anunexposed state, in which yarn 61 is not exposed to the physicalstimulus. With reference to FIG. 21, however, textile 60 is depicted inan exposed state, in which yarn 61 is exposed to the physical stimulus.In the unexposed state, the area of each opening 63 is relatively small.In the exposed state, however, yarn 61 exhibits a greater thickness anda greater length. As discussed above, the increase in length dominatesthe increase in thickness in order to increase the overall area of eachopening 63. That is, exposing yarn 60 to the physical stimulus causesyarn 60 to increase in length, which increases the area of each opening63 and modifies the structure of textile 60.

The modification in the structure of textile 60 (i.e., increasing thearea of openings 63) changes the properties of textile 60. In theunexposed state, each opening 63 is relatively small. In the exposedstate, however, the area of each opening 63 is increased, whichincreases the overall permeability of textile 60 to water, light, andmoving air, for example. That is, the greater area of each opening 63 inthe exposed state increases the ease with which water, light, and movingair may penetrate through textile 60. Accordingly, exposing textile 60to a physical stimulus increases the permeability properties of textile60, thereby increasing the permeability properties of apparel 10.

When incorporated into article of apparel 10, textile 60 may be utilizedto cool the individual and remove perspiration from the individual, forexample. Based upon the above discussion, therefore, textile 60 may beformed from yarn 61, which transforms dimensionally and in degree ofundulation in the presence of a physical stimulus. The dimensionaltransformation of yarn 61 modifies the structure of textile 60, therebyinducing a change in the properties of textile 60. When incorporatedinto apparel 10, the change in the properties of textile 60 when exposedto the physical stimulus may be utilized to cool the individual andremove perspiration from the individual. Accordingly, textile 60effectively adapts to changing perspiration levels of the individual inorder to enhance the comfort of the individual wearing apparel 10.

Sixth Textile Structure

Increasing or decreasing the area of openings between the various yarnsthat form a textile is one manner in which the structure of the textilemay be modified in order to change the properties (i.e., permeability)of the textile. In some embodiments, the texture of the textile may alsobe modified in order to change the properties of the textile. Referringto FIGS. 22-25, a textile 70 is disclosed. Textile 70 is formed from ayarn 71 and a yarn 72 through an interlooping process. As will bedescribed in greater detail below, the texture of textile 70 changesfrom being relatively smooth to having a plurality of nodes 73 that forma separation between the individual and textile 70. Nodes 73 effectivelyhold textile 70 away from the individual and permit air to flow betweentextile 70 and the individual, thereby increasing removal ofperspiration. In order to form textile 70, yarns 71 and 72 aremechanically-manipulated through a circular knitting process to formtextile 70 with a jersey knit or double knit pique structure, forexample. In some embodiments, three or more yarns may be utilized toform textile 70, and a variety of other knit structures in addition tothe jersey knit and double knit pique structure may be utilized.

Whereas yarn 71 is formed from a material that dimensionally-transformsin the presence of a physical stimulus, yarn 72 is formed from adimensionally-stable yarn that is not significantly affected by thephysical stimulus. Accordingly, yarn 71 substantially changes dimensionswhen exposed to the physical stimulus. Yarn 71 extends through thestructure formed by yarn 72 and is primarily positioned on one side oftextile 70. That is, the position of yarn 71 is concentrated on one sideof textile 70. When exposed to the physical stimulus, yarn 71 transformsdimensionally, whereas yarn 72 remains dimensionally-stable. Thedimensions of yarn 71 increase when exposed to the physical stimulus andform a plurality of nodes 73 on one side of textile 70. That is, theconcentrated areas of yarn 71 expand when exposed to the physicalstimulus and form nodes 73.

With reference to FIGS. 22 and 23, textile 70 is depicted in anunexposed state, in which yarns 71 and 72 are not exposed to thephysical stimulus. With reference to FIGS. 24 and 25, however, textile70 is depicted in an exposed state, in which yarns 71 and 72 are exposedto the physical stimulus. In the unexposed state, textile 70 exhibits arelatively smooth texture. In the exposed state, however, textile 70exhibits greater texture due to the presence of the plurality of nodes73. That is, exposing yarn 71 to the physical stimulus forms nodes 73 onone side of textile 70 and causes textile 70 to increase in texture,which modifies the structure of textile 70.

The modification in the structure of textile 70 changes the propertiesof textile 70. In the unexposed state, textile 70 is relatively smoothand significantly contacts the individual. In the exposed state,however, the texture of textile 70 is increased through the formation ofnodes 73, which forms a separation between the individual and textile70. That is, nodes 73 effectively hold textile 70 away from theindividual and permit air to flow between textile 70 and the individual,thereby increasing the rate at which perspiration is removed. Exposingtextile 70 to a physical stimulus increases the texture of textile 70,thereby increasing the texture properties of apparel 10. Accordingly,textile 70 effectively adapts to changing perspiration levels of theindividual in order to enhance the comfort of the individual wearingapparel 10.

Seventh Textile Structure

Textiles generally fall into two categories, as discussed above in theBackground of the Invention section. The first category includestextiles produced directly from webs of fibers or filaments by bonding,fusing, or interlocking to construct non-woven fabrics and felts. Thesecond category includes textiles formed through a mechanicalmanipulation of yarn. Textiles, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 are eachformed through the mechanical manipulation of yarn and fall, therefore,within the second category. Concepts related to the present inventionalso apply, however, to non-woven textiles.

With reference to FIG. 26, a textile 80 having the configuration of anon-woven textile is disclosed an includes a plurality of filaments 81and a plurality of filaments 82. Non-woven textiles are generallymanufactured by depositing one or more layers of polymer filaments upona moving conveyor, thereby forming the non-woven textile to have agenerally uniform thickness. Textile 80 includes two layers, one beingformed from a plurality of filaments 81, and the other being formed froma plurality of filaments 82.

Whereas filaments 81 are formed from a material thatdimensionally-transforms in the presence of a physical stimulus,filaments 82 are formed from a dimensionally-stable material that is notsignificantly affected by the physical stimulus. Accordingly, filaments81 substantially change dimensions when exposed to the physicalstimulus. Filaments 81 form one of the layers of textile 80 and areprimarily positioned on one side of textile 80. That is, the position offilaments 81 is concentrated on one side of textile 80. When exposed tothe physical stimulus, filaments 81 transform dimensionally, whereasfilaments 82 remain dimensionally-stable. As with textile 70, which alsohas concentrations of different yarns on different sides, the dimensionsof filaments 81 increase when exposed to the physical stimulus and mayform a plurality of nodes on one side of textile 80. That is, theconcentrated areas of filaments 81 expand when exposed to the physicalstimulus and may form nodes that are similar to nodes 73.

Textile 80 is depicted as having two non-woven layers formed fromfilaments 81 and filaments 82. In some embodiments of the invention, thelayer formed from filaments 82 may be replaced with a textile formedthrough mechanical manipulation of a yarn. That is, the layer formedfrom filaments 82 may be formed from a textile in the second categorydiscussed above. When formed to exhibit this structure, the layer offilaments 81 may be bonded or stitched to the other textile layer, forexample. In other embodiments, the layer formed from filaments 81 may bereplaced with textile 60 or any of the other textiles disclosed above,for example. Furthermore, a textile may be formed that solely includes alayer of filaments 81. In yet further embodiments, a textile may exhibita configuration wherein filaments 81 and 82 are distributed homogenouslythroughout the thickness of the textile. Accordingly, a variety ofnon-woven textile structures may be formed from filaments that transformdimensionally in the presence of a physical stimulus.

Eighth Textile Structure

Each of textiles 70 and 80 exhibit a configuration wherein thedimensionally-stable materials (i.e., yarn 72 and filaments 82) areconcentrated adjacent to one surface, and the materials that transformdimensionally in the presence of a physical stimulus (i.e., yarn 71 andfilaments 81) are concentrated adjacent an opposite surface. Anothermanner in which this general configuration may be achieved is disclosedin FIG. 27, wherein a textile 90 includes a yarn 91 that is plaited inone surface of a spacer mesh material. More particularly, the spacermesh material includes a first layer 92 and a second layer 93 that arespaced apart and connected by a plurality of connecting yarns 94. Yarn91, which transforms dimensionally in the presence of a physicalstimulus, is woven or otherwise plaited into first layer 92. Whereasyarn 91 is formed of a material that transforms dimensionally in thepresence of a physical stimulus, each of first layer 92, second layer93, and connecting yarns 94 may be formed from a dimensionally-stablematerial.

In manufacturing textile 90, a double needle bar Raschel knittingprocess may be utilized to form first layer 92, second layer 93, andconnecting yarns 94 from the dimensionally-stable material. Yarn 91 isthen plaited or otherwise incorporated into first layer 92. In furtherembodiments of the invention, all of first layer 92 may be formed from amaterial that transforms dimensionally in the presence of a physicalstimulus. Alternately, first layer 92, second layer 93, and connectingyarns 94 may be formed from a material that transforms dimensionally inthe presence of a physical stimulus, and yarn 91 may be formed from adimensionally-stable material. Accordingly, a variety of configurationsmay be utilized in connection with a spacer mesh material to provide aconfiguration wherein the dimensionally-stable materials areconcentrated adjacent to one surface, and the materials that transformdimensionally in the presence of a physical stimulus are concentratedadjacent to an opposite surface. In some embodiments, however, all or asubstantially portion of a spacer mesh material may be formed from adimensionally-stable material.

Ninth Textile Structure

In the various textile structures discussed above, a fiber, filament, oryarn incorporated into a textile has a configuration that transformsdimensionally in the presence of a physical stimulus. Coatings on thefibers, filaments, or yarns may also be utilized as the material thattransforms dimensionally in the presence of a physical stimulus. Withreference to FIG. 28, a textile 100 that includes a yarn 101 and a yarn102 is disclosed. Yarn 101 and yarn 102 are formed from a material thatis dimensionally-stable. In contrast with yarn 102, however, yarn 101includes a coating 103 that transforms dimensionally in the presence ofa physical stimulus. FIGS. 28 and 29 depict yarn 101 and coating 103 inan unexposed state (i.e., yarn 101 and coating 103 are not exposed tothe physical stimulus). In the unexposed state yarn 102 and thecombination of yarn 101 and coating 103 have similar diameters. FIG. 30depicts yarn 101 and coating 103 in an exposed state, and the overalldiameter of coating 103 is increased substantially. Accordingly,exposing textile 100 to the physical stimulus induces the combination ofyarn 101 and coating 103 to transform dimensionally.

In some embodiments, the diameter of yarn 101 remains substantiallyconstant whether exposed or unexposed to the physical stimulus, andcoating 103 swells or otherwise transforms dimensionally in the presenceof a physical stimulus. In other embodiments, coating 103 may compressyarn 101 when exposed to the physical stimulus. In any event, however,the overall diameter of the combination of yarn 101 and coating 103increases when exposed to the physical stimulus. Although yarn 101 maybe formed from a material that is dimensionally-stable in the presenceof the physical stimulus, yarn 101 may also be formed from a materialthat transforms dimensionally in the presence of a physical stimulus.

Coating 103 may be added to yarn 101 prior to forming textile 100. Anadvantage of this procedure is that specific yarns within textile 100include coating 103. In other embodiments, coating 103 may be added totextile 100 following the formation of textile 100. That is, a printingprocess (e.g., a screen-printing process) may be utilized to placecoating 103 over a defined area of textile 100. In contrast with theconfiguration depicted in FIG. 28, the use of a printing process appliescoating 103 to areas of textile 100, rather than individual yarns withintextile 100.

Summary of Textile Structures

Based upon the above discussion, various textiles may be formed fromfibers, filaments, or yarns that transform dimensionally in the presenceof a physical stimulus. The dimensional transformation of the yarnsmodifies the structures of the textiles, thereby inducing a change inthe properties of textiles. Depending upon the material selected for theyarns, water or a change in the temperature of the textiles, forexample, may be utilized as the physical stimulus. When incorporatedinto an article of apparel, the change in the properties of the textileswhen exposed to the physical stimulus may be utilized to insulate theindividual from specific environmental conditions or adapt to changingperspiration levels of the individual, for example. Accordingly, thepresent invention relates to textiles that effectively adapt to enhancethe comfort of the individual wearing the apparel.

VII. Exemplar Altered Textile Structures

The above material disclosed a variety of textiles with a structure thatis modified by a physical stimulus in order to change the properties ofthe textile. Various ways in which these or other textile structures maybe altered will now be discussed. For example, materials may be bondedto a textile structure in order to impart stretch resistance, incisionsor partial incisions may be formed in the textile structure, or coatingsmay be applied to block effects of the physical stimulus.

First Altered Textile Structure

Each of the textile structures discussed above are primarily formed fromvarious filaments, fibers, or yarns. Depending upon the specificmaterials that form the filaments, fibers, or yarns, the varioustextiles disclosed above may exhibit substantial stretchcharacteristics. That is, the textiles may deform significantly whenexposed to a tensile force. In order to limit stretch in the textiles,various materials with a greater degree of stretch resistance may bebonded or otherwise secured to the textiles.

With reference to FIG. 31, another article of apparel is disclosed,specifically an article of footwear 10′ having an upper 11′ and a solestructure 12′. In contrast with conventional articles of footwear, upper11′ incorporates a textile 110 having a base layer 111 and a reinforcingstructure 112, as depicted in FIGS. 32 and 33. Base layer 111 may be anyof the various textile structures disclosed above. That is, base layer111 may be any of textiles 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100.Accordingly, base layer 111 has a structure that is modified by aphysical stimulus in order to change the overall properties of textile110.

Reinforcing structure 112 is a polymer sheet, for example, having aplurality of generally square apertures that define the configuration ofa grid with horizontal segments that cross vertical segments. Whereasbase layer 111 may stretch significantly when subjected to a tensileforce, reinforcing structure 112 stretches to a lesser degree whensubjected to the same tensile force. In this configuration, the stretchresistance of reinforcing structure 112 imparts stretch resistance tothe entirety of textile 110. Accordingly, reinforcing structure 112limits the overall degree to which textile 110 may stretch.

Articles of footwear, such as footwear 10′, may be subjected tosignificant forces when used for walking, running, or other ambulatoryactivities. More particularly, the foot may exert significant forcesupon upper 11′ during the athletic activities. These forces may tend tostretch upper 11′ or otherwise place the materials of upper 11′ intension. Although a relatively small degree of stretch in upper 11′ mayenhance the overall comfort of footwear 10′, significant stretch may notbe beneficial. Accordingly, reinforcing structure 112 limits the overalldegree to which textile 110 may stretch, thereby countering the inherentstretch in base layer 111.

As discussed in detail above, each of the various textile structures aremodified by a physical stimulus in order to change the overallproperties of the textile structures. For example, portions of thetextiles may transform dimensionally in the presence of heat or water inorder to form apertures that allow heated air or perspiration to escape.Similarly, portions of the textiles may transform dimensionally in thepresence of heat or water in order to close apertures that restrictheated air or precipitation from entering footwear 10′. The addition ofreinforcing structure 112 to any of the textile structures discussedabove enhances the overall properties of the textile structures and thesuitability of the textile structures for footwear or other athleticequipment applications. In other words, the combination of base layer111 and reinforcing structure 112 provides a textile that is modified bya physical stimulus in order to change the overall properties offootwear 10′, and also provides a textile with a desired degree ofstretch resistance.

Stretch resistance is not the only advantage that may be gained throughthe addition of reinforcing structure 112. For example, reinforcingstructure 112 or similar structures may impart abrasion resistance,thereby enhancing the durability of textile 110. In addition,reinforcing structure 112 may enhance the aesthetic appeal of articlesthat incorporate textile 110. Furthermore, reinforcing structure 112 mayalso provide a durable location for securing or otherwise incorporatingtextile 110 to an article.

Reinforcing structure 112 is discussed above as having a gridconfiguration defining generally square apertures. Reinforcing structure112 may also define trapezoidal or round apertures, as respectivelydepicted in FIGS. 34A and 34B, or any other practical shape. Whenstretch resistance is desired in a particular direction, linear orcurved strips of reinforcing structure 112 may be combined with baselayer 111, as respectively depicted in FIGS. 34C and 34D. In addition,when stretch resistance is desired in only a particular area of atextile, reinforcing structure 112 may be located in only a portion oftextile 110. Accordingly, the particular configuration of reinforcingstructure 112 may vary significantly depending upon the particularapplication or requirements for textile 110.

Reinforcing structure 112 is discussed above as a polymer sheet, but maybe a variety of other materials within the scope of the presentinvention. For example, reinforcing structure 112 may be a differenttextile, a spacer mesh material, leather, synthetic leather, or a filmthat is secured to base layer 111. Reinforcing structure 112 may also bea polymer that impregnates the structure of base layer 111. That is, amolten polymer material may be injected onto base layer 111 so as toform reinforcing structure 112. In some embodiments, reinforcingstructure 112 may be a yarn or filament woven into base layer 111 thatis less stretchable than base layer 111. Accordingly, the specificmaterials that are suitable for reinforcing structure 112 may varysignificantly within the scope of the present invention.

Second Altered Textile Structure

Another manner of altering any of the textile structures disclosed aboverelates to the formation of incisions. FIG. 35 depicts an article ofapparel 10″ that is substantially formed from textile 70, as disclosedabove. A plurality of semi-circular incisions 74 extend through textile74 and, therefore, extend through each of yarns 71 and 72. Withreference to FIG. 36, a portion of textile 70 having incisions 74 isdepicted in an unexposed state, in which yarns 71 and 72 are not exposedto the physical stimulus. With reference to FIG. 37, however, textile 70is depicted in an exposed state, in which yarns 71 and 72 are exposed tothe physical stimulus. In the unexposed state, textile 70 liesrelatively flat and a flap that is formed by incisions 74 is in a closedconfiguration. In the exposed state, however, the flaps that are formedby incisions 74 curl upward and form apertures in textile 70, therebymodifying the structure and properties of textile 70.

The alteration in the structure of textile 70 (i.e., the formation ofincisions 74) changes the properties of textile 70. In the unexposedstate, textile 70 lies flat and incisions 74 do not form apertures. Inthe exposed state, however, the flaps formed by incisions 74 curl upwardto form apertures in textile 70, which permit increased air flow betweenthe exterior and interior of apparel 10″. Exposing textile 70 to aphysical stimulus not only increases the texture of textile 70, asdiscussed above, but also increases the air flow properties of textile70.

Textile 70 is structured such that yarn 71 is concentrated on onesurface and yarn 72 is concentrated on an opposite surface. When exposedto the physical stimulus, such as water or a change in temperature, forexample, yarn 71 transforms dimensionally and increases in size. Theincrease in the size of textile 70 due to an increase in the size ofyarn 71 is constrained by the relative dimensional-stability of yarn 72.Accordingly, the swelling of yarn 71 causes the flaps formed byincisions 74 to curl upward and toward the surface where yarn 72 isconcentrated. Textile 70 is not the only textile structure that willreact in this fashion when exposed to a physical stimulus. Each oftextiles 80 and 90 may also exhibit similar properties due to theconcentration of materials that transform dimensionally on one surface,and the concentration of dimensionally-stable materials on an oppositesurface.

Although incisions 74 may exhibit the semi-circular shape discussedabove, a variety of other shapes may also be suitable for incisions 74.For example, incisions 74 may have a more circular shape or an angularshape, as respectively depicted in FIGS. 38A and 38B. Incisions 74 mayalso exhibit a v-shaped or s-shaped configuration, as respectivelydepicted in FIGS. 34A and 34D. In some embodiments, incisions 74 maydepart from the non-linear shapes discussed above and be linear, asdepicted in FIG. 38E.

Various techniques, including a die cutting or laser cutting operation,may be utilized to form incisions 74. In some circumstances, incisions74 may be formed through the knitting process of textile 70. That is,yarns 71 and 72 may be mechanically-manipulated in a manner that formsincisions 74.

Third Altered Textile Structure

Each of textiles 70, 80, and 90 exhibit a configuration wherein thematerial that transforms dimensionally when exposed to a physicalstimulus is concentrated on one surface of the textile structures.Incisions that are similar to incisions 74 may be formed in any of thetextile structures disclosed above. When cut to form incisions 74,textile 70 remains in a flat configuration until exposed to a physicalstimulus. Some textile structures, however, may curl when cut and notexposed to a physical stimulus.

With reference to FIG. 39 a textile 120 in an unexposed state isdepicted. Textile 120 includes a plurality of incisions 124. The mannerin which textile 120 is mechanically-manipulated from various yarns, andthe materials forming the yarns, are selected to cause the edges ofincisions 124 to curl when cut and unexposed to a physical stimulus.When exposed to a physical stimulus, however, the edges uncurl due tothe dimensional transformation of yarns, as depicted in FIG. 40. Thatis, apertures that are formed by incisions 124 close when exposed to aphysical stimulus.

When incorporated into apparel, for example, textile 120 may be utilizedto shield an individual from precipitation. When water is not present,incisions 124 form apertures in the apparel that facilitate air flowbetween the interior and exterior of the apparel. In the presence ofprecipitation, however, the apertures formed by incisions 124 close tolimit the degree to which the precipitation may enter the apparel.Accordingly, the apparel may adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Fourth Altered Textile Structure

Incisions 74 and 124 respectively extend entirely through textiles 70and 120. In some circumstances, however, incisions that extend onlypartially through a textile structure may be beneficial. FIG. 41 depictsa textile 130 that includes a plurality of partial incisions 134 thatextend only partially through textile 130. With reference to FIG. 42A,textile 130 is depicted schematically as including a layer 131 andanother layer 132, with partial incisions 134 extending through layer131. Layer 131 and layer 132 schematically-represent the generalconfigurations of textiles 70, 80, and 90, wherein materials thattransform dimensionally in the presence of a physical stimulus areconcentrated adjacent one surface, and materials that aredimensionally-stable are concentrated adjacent an opposite surface.

Partial incisions 134 extend entirely through layer 131 in FIG. 42A, andlayer 131 is, therefore, absent from this area. Layer 131 mayincorporate, for example, a majority of the materials that transformdimensionally in the presence of a physical stimulus. Forming partialincisions 134 effectively deactivates these materials. Accordingly, theformation of partial incisions 134 is a manner of preventing or limitinga change in the properties of specific areas of textile 130 due to thepresence of a physical stimulus. Although partial incisions 134 aredepicted as having a linear structure, partial incisions 134 may coveran area of textile 130.

Although partial incisions 134 may represent areas where layer 131 isabsent, partial incisions 134 may also form areas where layer 131 ismelted or only partially absent. With reference to FIGS. 42B and 42C,partial incisions 134 form depressions in layer 131. One manner offorming the depressions is to melt the material of layer 131, therebyconcentrating this material in a lower area of layer 131. In effect,therefore, partial incisions 134 may represent melted areas of layer131. Although the material that is melted and within partial incisions134 may be the same material that transforms dimensionally in thepresence of a physical stimulus, the greater concentration of thematerial in partial incisions 134 may limit the change in the propertiesof textile 130 when exposed to the physical stimulus. That is, meltingportions of layer 131 may effectively deactivate the material thattransforms dimensionally in the presence of a physical stimulus.Suitable methods of forming partial incisions 134 include laser cuttingor heated dies, for example.

Although partial incisions 134 may extend into the material thattransforms dimensionally in the presence of a physical stimulus, partialincisions 134 may also extend into a dimensionally-stable material. Thatis, partial incisions 134 may extend through layer 132 rather than layer131. In some embodiments, partial incisions may extend partially througha material that includes a single layer, as in textiles 20, 30, and 40,for example.

The melting of the material forming either of layers 131 or 132 in orderto form partial incisions 134 may also be used to form a structure thatis similar to reinforcing structure 112. As discussed above, reinforcingstructure 112 may impart stretch resistance or abrasion resistance to atextile. By melting portions of layers 131 or 132, the materials forminglayers 131 and 132 effectively concentrate and may also impart stretchresistance or abrasion resistance to textile 130. Accordingly, theformation of partial incisions 134 is another manner of formingreinforcing structure 112.

Fifth Altered Textile Structure

The formation of partial incisions in a textile is one manner ofblocking or deactivating the dimensional transformation of the textilein the presence of a physical stimulus. Coatings on the fibers,filaments, or yarns may also be utilized to block a physical stimulusfrom inducing dimensional transformation of the material. With referenceto FIG. 43, a textile 140 that includes a yarn 141 and a yarn 142 isdisclosed. Yarn 141 and yarn 142 are formed from a material thattransforms dimensionally in the presence of a physical stimulus. Incontrast with yarn 141, however, yarn 142 includes a coating 143 thatblocks the physical stimulus from yarn 142. FIG. 44 depicts yarns 141and 142 in an unexposed state, and yarns 141 and 142 have similardiameters. FIG. 45 depicts yarns 141 and 142 in the exposed state, andthe overall diameter of yarn 141 is significantly greater than thediameter of yarn 142. Accordingly, exposing textile 140 to the physicalstimulus induces yarn 141 to transform dimensionally, but coating 143prevents or otherwise limits the dimensional transformation of yarn 142.

A variety of materials may be suitable for coating 143. If, for example,the material forming yarns 141 and 142 transform dimensionally in thepresence of water, any waterproof coating may be utilized. If thephysical stimulus is light or heat, opaque or insulative coatings may beutilized. Coating 143 may be added to yarn 142 prior to forming textile140. An advantage of this procedure is that specific yarns withintextile 140 include coating 143. In other embodiments, coating 143 maybe added to textile 140 following the formation of textile 140. That is,a printing process (e.g., a screen-printing process) may be utilized toplace coating 143 over a defined area of textile 140. In contrast withthe configuration depicted in FIG. 43, the use of a printing processapplies coating 143 to areas of textile 140, rather than individualyarns within textile 140.

Summary of Altered Textile Structures

Reinforcing structures, incisions, partial incisions, and coatings maybe utilized to alter and enhance any of the textile structures disclosedabove. Various combination of the reinforcing structures, incisions,partial incisions, and coatings may also be utilized to alter andenhance any of the textile structures disclosed above. For example,incisions or partial incisions may be formed in the apertures defined bya reinforcing structure. In addition, coatings may be utilized to affectthe reaction of the areas having incisions.

VIII. Apparel with a Zoned Modifiable Textile Structure

An article of apparel 1100 is disclosed in FIGS. 46A and 46B asincluding a torso region 1101 and a pair of arm regions 1102. Ingeneral, torso region 1101 extends from a neck opening 1103 to a waistopening 1104 to cover a substantial portion of a torso of the wearer.Arm regions 1102 extend from an upper area of torso region 1101 andreceive arms of the wearer. Although apparel 1100 is depicted as being ashort-sleeved shirt, any of the concepts disclosed below with respect toapparel 1100 may be incorporated into other types of apparel forcovering the torso, such as a long-sleeved shirt, a shirt withoutsleeves (e.g., a tank top), or a jacket, for example.

Various materials are utilized in the apparel 1100. A majority ofapparel 1100 may be formed from any conventional textile or othermaterial that is suitable for apparel applications. In a pair of sideareas 1105 and a center back area 1106, which correspond with backvented zone 202 and side vented zones 302 and 304 in FIG. 4, forexample, any of the various materials disclosed above in the discussionof FIGS. 11-45 may be utilized. Accordingly, the air permeable materialdiscussed in relation to FIGS. 1-10B may be replaced with a textilehaving a structure that changes or is otherwise modified by a physicalstimulus, such as the presence of water or a temperature change.

As discussed above, an enhanced cooling effect may be gained by placingzones of an air permeable material in apparel locations that correspondwith the sides and center back of the wearer. During times when thewearer does not have an elevated temperature (e.g., during warm-up orresting periods), a relatively high air permeability of the material maynot be necessary to cool the core body temperature of the wearer. Alesser degree of air permeability may be beneficial, therefore, when thewearer does not have an elevated temperature. During times when thewearer does have an elevated temperature (e.g., during physicalactivities), however, a higher air permeability in locations thatcorrespond with the sides and center back of the wearer may bebeneficial. Accordingly, forming side areas 1105 and center back area1106 from a material with a variable air permeability may provide asuitable degree of air permeability, regardless of whether the wearerhas an elevated core body temperature.

Each of the textiles disclosed in FIGS. 12-21 react to temperaturechanges or the presence of water, for example, to change the airpermeability of the textile. With reference to FIG. 18, for example,textile 50 is disclosed as having weft yarns 51 and warp yarns 52 a and52 b that form a plurality of discrete openings 53. Whereas yarns 52 aare formed from a material that dimensionally-transforms in the presenceof a physical stimulus, yarns 51 and 52 b are formed from adimensionally-stable yarn that is not significantly affected by thephysical stimulus. With reference to FIG. 18, textile 50 is depicted inan unexposed state, in which yarns 51, 52 a, and 52 b are not exposed tothe physical stimulus. With reference to FIG. 19, however, textile 50 isdepicted in an exposed state, in which yarns 51, 52 a, and 52 b areexposed to the physical stimulus. In the unexposed state, yarns 51, 52a, and 52 b exhibit dimensions with a relatively narrow thickness suchthat the area of each opening 53 is relatively small. In the exposedstate, however, warp yarns 52 a exhibit a greater thickness and agreater degree of undulation, which increases the area of each opening53. That is, exposing yarns 51, 52 a, and 52 b to the physical stimuluscauses warp yarns 52 a to increase in thickness and degree ofundulation, which increases the area of each opening 53 and modifies thestructure of textile 50.

The modification in the structure of textile 50 (i.e., increasing thearea of openings 53) changes the properties of textile 50. In theunexposed state, each opening 53 is relatively small. In the exposedstate, however, the area of each opening 53 is increased, whichincreases the overall permeability of textile 50 to water, light, andmoving air, for example. That is, the greater area of each opening 53 inthe exposed state increases the ease with which water, light, and movingair may penetrate through textile 50. Accordingly, exposing textile 50to a physical stimulus increases the permeability properties of textile50.

When incorporated into areas 1105 and 1106 of apparel 1100, a textilelike textile 50 may be utilized to cool the individual and removeperspiration from the individual, for example. Based upon the abovediscussion, therefore, a textile having the configuration of textile 50,for example, effectively adapts to changing perspiration levels (i.e.,the physical stimulus) of the wearer in order to enhance the comfort ofthe wearer.

When exposed to the physical stimulus, the textile forming areas 1105and 1106 will have a greater air permeability than other types oftextile incorporated into apparel 1100. In some circumstances, thetextile forming areas 1105 and 1106 will exhibit an air permeability ofat least 550 ft³/min per ft², but may also exhibit lower airpermeabilities. In circumstances where a relatively high airpermeability is desired, a plurality of incisions 1107 may be formed inareas 1105 and 1106 of apparel 1100, as depicted in FIGS. 47A and 47B.Incisions 1107 have the general configuration of the various incisions74 and 124 that are depicted in FIGS. 35-40. More particularly,incisions 1107 may be formed to open in the presence of the physicalstimulus in order to substantially increase the air permeability ofareas 1105 and 1106. Although incisions 1107 are depicted as beingsemi-circular, a variety of other incision shapes may be utilized withinthe scope of the present invention.

The air permeability of textile 50 increases in the presence of thephysical stimulus. Although this feature is beneficial for the reasonsdiscussed above, any of the various textiles with a structure thatchanges or is otherwise modified by a physical stimulus may beincorporated into areas 1105 and 1106 of apparel 1100. Accordingly, atextile with an air permeability that decreases in the presence of aphysical stimulus may be beneficial for apparel that is utilized incolder climates or wet environments. Similarly, a textile with a texturethat increases in response to the physical stimulus may also beincorporated into apparel 1100. Accordingly, any of the materialsdisclosed in FIGS. 11-45 are suitable for apparel 1100.

Apparel 1100 incorporates a material that changes or is otherwisemodified by a physical stimulus. As discussed above, the airpermeability of the material may increase in order to impart theenhanced cooling effect. Another manner of enhancing cooling and alsodecreasing the degree of cling in apparel is disclosed with reference toFIGS. 48A and 48B, in which an article of apparel 1200 includes a torsoregion 1201 and a pair of arm regions 1202. In general, torso region1201 extends from a neck opening 1203 to a waist opening 1204 to cover asubstantial portion of a torso of the wearer. Arm regions 1202 extendfrom an upper area of torso region 1201 and receive arms of the wearer.Although apparel 1200 is depicted as being a short-sleeved shirt, any ofthe concepts disclosed below with respect to apparel 1200 may beincorporated into other types of apparel for covering the torso.

Various materials are utilized in the apparel 1200. For example, anupper area 1205 and a lower back area 1206 may be formed from a materialthat changes or is otherwise modified by a physical stimulus (i.e., anyof the materials disclosed in FIGS. 11-45), whereas a remainder of torsoregion 1201 is formed from any suitable conventional material. Upperarea 1205 corresponds with an upper torso area of the wearer and upperarm areas of the wearer. Accordingly, upper area 1205 formssubstantially all of an upper portion of apparel 1200. Lower back area1206 corresponds with a lower back area of the wearer.

During physical activities, relatively high concentrations ofperspiration may be produced in areas corresponding with upper area 1205and lower back area 1206. In order to limit the degree to which apparel1200 clings or otherwise uncomfortably contacts the wearer, areas 1205and 1206 may be formed from a material that is similar to textile 70, asdisclosed above with respect to FIGS. 22-25. As discussed in greaterdetail above, the texture of textile 70 changes from being relativelysmooth to having a plurality of nodes 73 that form a separation betweenthe wearer and textile 70. Nodes 73 effectively hold textile 70 awayfrom the wearer and permit air to flow between textile 70 and thewearer, thereby increasing removal of perspiration and decreasing thecling of apparel 1200. Although textile 70 is suitable for areas of 1205and 1206 of apparel 1200, any of the various textiles disclosed in FIGS.11-45 may be utilized.

IX. CONCLUSION

Articles of apparel 1100 and 1200 provide examples of articles ofapparel incorporating zones of materials that change or are otherwisemodified by a physical stimulus. Although apparel 1100 is disclosed ashaving side areas 1105 and center back area 1106 formed from suchmaterials, other articles of apparel may include only one of side areas1105 and center back area 1106. Similarly, other articles of apparel mayinclude only one of upper area 1205 and 1206. In some embodiments, thephysical stimulus that induces the material properties (i.e., airpermeability and texture) to change may be water that is absorbed by thematerial. Other physical stimuli, such as increased temperature, light,and wind, may also be utilized within the scope of the presentinvention.

The present invention is disclosed above and in the accompanyingdrawings with reference to a variety of embodiments. The purpose servedby the disclosure, however, is to provide an example of the variousfeatures and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scopeof the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize thatnumerous variations and modifications may be made to the embodimentsdescribed above without departing from the scope of the presentinvention, as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of apparel comprising: a torso regionhaving a front area, a back area, and a pair of side areas for coveringa torso of a wearer when the article of apparel is in an as-wornconfiguration, and the torso region having at least a neck opening andan opposite waist opening, a first portion of the torso region beingformed from a first material, a second remaining portion of the torsoregion being formed from a second material different from the firstmaterial, the first material comprising a dimensionally transformativeyarn formed at least from a moisture-absorbing material that exhibits adimensional transformation upon absorbing water and a dimensionallystable yarn that is dimensionally stable upon exposure to water, whereinthe first portion of the torso region includes a central verticalportion of the back area and the pair of side areas; and a plurality offlaps formed in the first material of the first portion of the torsoregion, each flap of the plurality of flaps comprising a first surfaceand an opposite second surface, wherein the first surface of the eachflap comprises the dimensionally transformative yarn, wherein the secondsurface of the each flap comprises the dimensionally stable yarn, andwherein the each flap of the plurality of flaps is configured to curltoward the second surface of the each flap when the first portion of thetorso region is exposed to water.
 2. The article of apparel of claim 1,wherein the article of apparel is a shirt.
 3. The article of apparel ofclaim 1, wherein the dimensionally transformative yarn is formed atleast from filaments of a moisture-absorbing polyester material.
 4. Thearticle of apparel of claim 1, wherein the dimensionally transformativeyarn is formed at least from filaments of a moisture-absorbing cottonmaterial.
 5. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the plurality offlaps are curved.
 6. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein theplurality of flaps are angular.
 7. The article of apparel of claim 1,wherein the plurality of flaps are v-shaped.
 8. The article of apparelof claim 1, wherein the first surface of the each flap of the pluralityof flaps forms an inner-facing surface of the article of apparel.
 9. Thearticle of apparel of claim 1, wherein the second surface of the eachflap of the plurality of flaps forms an outer-facing surface of thearticle of apparel.
 10. An article of apparel comprising: a torso regionhaving at least a front area, a back area, a first side area, and asecond side area, at least the front area, the back area, the first sidearea, and the second side area adapted to cover a torso of a wearer whenthe article of apparel is in an as-worn configuration, wherein a firstportion of the torso region is formed from at least a first material anda second remaining portion of the torso region is formed from a secondmaterial different from the first material, the first materialcomprising a moisture-absorbing material that exhibits a dimensionaltransformation upon absorbing water and a dimensionally stable materialthat is dimensionally stable upon exposure to water, wherein the firstportion of the torso region includes a central vertical portion of theback area, the first side area, and the second side area; and aplurality of flaps formed in the first material of the first portion ofthe torso region, each flap of the plurality of flaps comprising a firstsurface and an opposite second surface, wherein the first surface of theeach flap comprises the moisture-absorbing material, wherein the secondsurface of the each flap comprises the dimensionally stable material,and wherein the each flap of the plurality of flaps is configured tocurl toward the second surface of the each flap when the first portionof the torso region is exposed to water.
 11. The article of apparel ofclaim 10, wherein the first material has a first air permeability whenunexposed to the water and a second air permeability when exposed to thewater, wherein the first air permeability is less than the second airpermeability.
 12. The article of apparel of claim 10, wherein the secondsurface of the each flap of the plurality of flaps forms an outer-facingsurface of the article of apparel.
 13. The article of apparel of claim10, wherein the first surface of the each flap of the plurality of flapsforms an inner-facing surface of the article of apparel.
 14. The articleof apparel of claim 10, wherein the plurality of flaps are curved. 15.The article of apparel of claim 10, wherein the plurality of flaps arev-shaped.